One week remains in softball regular season

    The Chase County softball team had a bit of a break last week, but still found time for four games.
    CCS hosted Cozad for a JV/varsity doubleheader Sept. 20.
    After the JV team lost 0-17, the varsity dropped its game 0-14 to the 12-12 Haymakers.
    The Longhorns were able to hold Cozad scoreless in the first inning, but Chase County struggled to get batters on base throughout the game.
    As Cozad started to bring home runs, CCS was putting the ball in play. Six batters hit the ball but didn’t reach base safely.
    CCS Head Coach Denise Smith said her team had a couple nice defensive plays, but Cozad’s hitting and the Longhorns’ lack of hitting hurt.
    Jaiden Hill pitched all four innings for Chase County. Hill struck out six and walked two.
    The Longhorns’ Thursday games again McCook and North Platte at the Ogallala Double Duals were canceled due to the wet weather.
    Chase County hosted Bayard (1-14) Saturday for Parents Day.
    The Longhorns beat Bayard 16-1 Sept. 13 and picked up where they left off.
    Chase County scored nine runs in the first inning, which included a two-RBI double by Hill.
    The Longhorns added two more runs in the game to take an 11-1 win.
    Hill allowed two hits, while striking out six and not allowing a walk.
    Chase County jumped out to a 3-1 lead after one inning in the second game. One run in each the second and fourth innings had the Longhorns ahead 5-3. Four runs in the fifth gave Chase County the margin it needed to take a 9-3 win.
    Denisse Guillen scored three runs for the Longhorns. Hailey Markee had two hits and two RBIs.
    Hill gave up one hit, striking out eight and walking one.
    Smith said CCS didn’t make as much contact with the ball at the plate like it did the first time the Longhorns played Bayard.
    “We need to get better at that,” she said.
    Smith was pleased with the way her team took care of the ball, only having two errors between the games.
    She went on to credit Hill with a really good day on the mound.
    It was definitely good to pick up two wins and on Parents Day as well, Smith said.
Up next
    Chase County’s Monday JV games against McCook were canceled.
    CCS played Southern Valley/Alma (6-22) and Kearney Catholic (11-14) Tuesday in Alma.
    The Longhorns opened their season with a 10-9 win over SVA and Smith believes CCS can play better this time around.
    The games will be the final ones to count towards the Longhorns’ point total.
    Chase County will host Holyoke, Colorado for a doubleheader Thursday. The Longhorns lost to the Dragons in Holyoke 8-11 and 4-12 Aug. 30.
    Saturday the regular season wraps up with a trip to Chadron to take on the Cardinals (13-10) and Alliance (9-17). Chase County lost twice to Chadron Sept. 16.
    The Longhorns will head back to Chadron, the C-10 subdistrict points leader, Monday for the subdistrict tournament. The tournament will be one day and single elimination.