Midgettes cede first runs, loss of season

STRATFORD, Wis. — The Hurley Midgettes split in Saturday's softball tournament, beating Iola-Scandinavia 8-7 and losing to Athens 3-0.

It was the first time this season that Hurley lost or allowed a run after outscoring its first four opponents 45-0.

But Hurley manager Jim Kivisto was happy with how his team responded to its toughest competition of the season.

"We stood toe-to-toe with Athens and we beat Iola, which was a good team, too," Kivisto said. "We hung in there, we never gave up. It's exactly what I needed to see. It was a good weekend for us down there."

Athens' Kyncaide Diedrich struck out 17 Hurley batters. The Midgettes had runners in scoring position with fewer than two outs in the fifth and sixth innings but couldn't score against Athens, which was ranked fourth in the state in Division 4 coming in.

Hurley managed two hits and a walk against her.

"She threw hard; she had a nice riseball, she had a nice changeup," Kivisto said. "We haven't seen anything like that this year. We went in there and battled her. She'll probably be the best pitcher we see all year."

Kaylyn King and Felicia Herlevi tallied Hurley's hits.

Gabby Pecotte took the loss, giving up three runs, two earned, five hits and a walk. She struck out one and pitched well while being supported by solid defense.

Hurley won the second game over Iola, holding onto an 8-3 advantage.

Hurley scored two runs in the second and the third. In the second, Herlevi walked, Brittany Czarnecki singled, Brooke Piilola's groundout scored a run, and Tianne Kuula followed with an RBI double. In the third, Paige Aho doubled to score a run and King singled to bring home another one.

Kuula plated a run with a single in the fourth.

Hurley scored three more in the sixth to take an 8-3 lead. Piilola and Kuula singed and Maria Swartz's double scored two runs.

One Hurley error in the sixth cost the Midgettes three runs to to make it 8-6.

Iola homered to start the seventh and then got a runner to second with nobody out. Hurley got three flyouts to end the game and get the win.

"It was nervewracking," Kivisto said.

Kuula was 3 for 4, while everyone else had a hit.

Paige Aho got the complete-game win for Hurley. She gave up seven runs, three of which were earned, 11 hits and no walks. She struck out three.

"We played well," Kivisto said. "I think our batting will come around."

Hurley (5-1) goes to Ironwood Thursday.