Beatrice wins home invite championship

Daily Sun sports

After going 1-3 in competition last week, the Beatrice Lady Orange got back on the winning track over the weekend.

The Lady Orange won their own invitational softball tournament Saturday, going 3-0, against Nebraska City, Wymore Southern and Lincoln Pius, to claim the title.

“The girls needed a weekend like this to regain some confidence and momentum, Beatrice coach Dennis Dodge said.

Dodge said Pius is seeded second in the district tournament, which will be played later this week, while Beatrice is seeded third.

“Our girls were excited to play and beat another ranked team,” Dodge said.

Beatrice opened the invitational by downing Nebraska City 4-0.

The game was scoreless through 4 1/2 innings.

In the bottom of the fifth, however, the Lady Orange got on the scoreboard.

Kylie Bartholomew reached on an error for Beatrice, stole second and scored on a single by Liz Schwartz.

Amanda Taylor, running for Schwartz, stole second, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Morgan Cullison.

Beatrice added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth inning.

Kayla Randel singled.

Amanda Nutsch, running for Randel, stole second and advanced to third as Daleigh Fossler reached on an error.

Both baserunners scored on a single by Chaley Hamilton.

Schwartz earned the win over Nebraska City, allowing five hits and striking out nine.

In their second game, the Lady Orange defeated Southern, 17-0, in four innings.

Dodge said Beatrice was “aided” by eight Southern fielding errors.

Alicia Armstrong, Hamilton, Fossler and Abby Vitosh had a double each for Beatrice, while Hannah Herman had two singles and Ciara Harlan, Nutsch and Taylor Warren added a single each.

Vitosh and Harlan combined for the no-hit win, striking out eight.

Taking on Pius for the tournament championship, Beatrice pulled out a 1-0 victory.

The Lady Orange scored the game’s only run when Schwartz walked and gave way to courtesy runner Nutsch.

Nutsch advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cullison and scored on a bloop single by Armstrong.

Schwartz earned the win over Pius, giving up five hit, while striking out seven.

Next action for the Lady Orange, 17-8, will be Thursday in the first round of district tournament play.

Beatrice will take on Firth Norris at noon in Seward.

Beatrice Invitational

Final Standings

1. Beatrice (3-0); 2. Lincoln Pius (2-1); 3. Wymore Southern (1-2); 4. Nebraska City (0-4).

Round-by-Round Results

First Round: Beatrice def. Nebraska City, 4-0; Pius def. Southern, 10-0.

Second Round: Beatrice def. Southern, 17-0; Pius def. Nebraska City, 9-1.

Third Round: Beatrice def. Pius, 1-0; Southern def. Nebraska City, 5-3.