Griswold enters softball postseason with 20 wins

GRISWOLD — The Griswold softball team was scheduled to enter its first round postseason game Monday night after first 20-win season in a long time.

The Tigers won three out of four last week to ensure that they reached the 20-win mark.

The most recent win came last Tuesday night on the road when they defeated Essex 13-2 in five innings.

Griswold scored early and often, getting out to a 7-0 lead before Essex scored a run.

The Tigers scored four in the fourth and two more in the fifth to get the win via the mercy rule, avenging a loss from the Red Oak Tournament May 30.

Griswold benefitted from 10 walks in the game as they recorded just eight hits.

Payton Rush led the way by going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBIs.

Alyx Flippin was 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, an RBI and three runs scored.

Jackie Rush, Hannah Misner, Hannah Willms and Morgan Godwin all had hits in the game.

Mateya Peters, Mandi Backhaus, Alyssa Dean, Madison Potter and Hannah Boucher also scored runs.

Marlia Rossell got the win as she went six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and striking out six.

Essex’s top hitter was lead-off batter Daiton Martin, who went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Kym Graham was also 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI.

Bethany Johnson, Ausha Gay, Jescenia Mosley and Ciara Burnison each recorded a hit. Gay scored the other run for the Trojanettes.

Essex was scheduled to play in the Mount Ayr Tournament last Wednesday, but it was postponed.

The other wins for Griswold came in a doubleheader against Underwood. The Tigers swept Underwood 14-4 and 9-2.

The 14-4 win came in all seven innings for the Tigers. Payton Rush scored three runs and knocked in three more as she went 2-for-3 with two doubles. Rossell was 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Jackie Rush was 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored, while Willms went 2-for-3.

Rossell got the win, giving up four runs (one earned) on six hits and striking out six.

In the other game, Griswold took control more than halfway through the game, thanks to three runs in the third and four in the fifth. The game was tied 2-2 up to that point.

Godwin scored two runs and knocked in a third and was 3-for-4. Kinzey Nicklaus scored a run and had two doubles as she went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Payton Rush was 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs.

Rossell also got this win for Griswold, allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out eight.

The lone loss for Griswold came last Wednesday when they lost 5-2 to Riverside. Griswold tried to rally back when they scored two runs in the sixth inning. However, the Bulldogs held on to get the win.

Rossell, Peters, Willms and Godwin all went 1-for-3 in the ball game. Flippin and Boucher scored the runs. Flippin was 1-for-2 with a double.

Griswold was scheduled to open up the regional tournament Monday night when they hosted CAM. Results weren’t available as of press time.

Essex, meanwhile, went to Sidney where they were scheduled to play East Mills in their opening round game.