Griswold claims runner-up at home softball tournament

GRISWOLD — The Griswold softball team finished second at their home tournament Saturday.

Griswold (12-12 overall, 5-8 conference) lost the championship game 8-5 to Exira-EHK at the Griswold High School softball field.

Exira-EHK got on the board early with three runs in the second and one more in the third to take a 4-0 lead. With three more in the top of the fifth, Exira-EHK appeared to be on its way to a win by taking a 7-0 lead.

Griswold responded in the bottom half of the fifth with three runs to cut the lead to 7-3. The Tigers tried to rally back, down 8-3, in the final inning, but they managed to score two runs.

Morgan Godwin led the way by going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Kinzey Nicklaus went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Also going 2-for-4 was Hannah Misner.

Jackie Rush went 1-for-4 with a triple, a run scored and an RBI.

Griswold reached the final when they defeated Southwest Valley 6-4.

The difference in the game was the fifth inning when Griswold scored two runs to take a 5-3 lead. The Tigers added one more in the sixth, which was more than enough to get the win.

Marlia Rossell got the win as she tossed a complete game, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and striking out seven. Rossell also went 2-for-2 in the game.

Also going 2-for-2 was Alyx Flippin, who added an RBI to her stat line. Misner went 2-for-3 with an RBI, as well.

Payton Rush scored two runs as she was 1-for-3 with a stolen base. Jackie Rush had a double, a run scored and a run batted in as she went 1-for-4. Nicklaus went 1-for-2 with a run scored, while Mateya Peters also scored a run as she was 1-for-3.

Griswold played a doubleheader Monday night in Neola versus Tri-Center. Results from the game weren’t available as of press time.