BOX SCORE
The Tiger softball team jumped out early on the No. 3 seed, Hastings Broncos, but one rough inning was enough as the Broncos rallied late to top Doane, 3-2.
In the first inning, Whitney Poole led of with a single and stole second base. On a single by Christy Kobza, Poole tried to score but was thrown out at the plate. The next batter, Brooke Sampson, sent the second pitch she saw over the center field fence to give Doane a 2-0 lead. For Sampson, it was her ninth home run of the year, a new single-season record for Doane.
Tiger starter Jennifer Liddell cruised through the first four innings, allowing only one hit. In the fifth inning and two outs, she ran into some trouble against the top of the Hastings order.
The Broncos received a single from Felicia Graff and Kayla Peltz walked to put a pair of runners on base. Stacey Paladino, the starting pitcher for the Broncos, helped her own cause by doubling down the left field line to tie the game. She moved to third on a throwing error back to the infield. Ashlee Lueders singled in Paladino to give the Broncos the lead.
Doane made a push in the top of the sixth, loading the bases with two outs. Amber Stater flew out down the left field line to end the inning.
The Tigers were sent down in order in the seventh to end the game. Doane out-hit the Broncos, 6-5, for the game.
Jennifer Montoya went 2-for-3, finishing the game as the only player for the Tigers with multiple hits. Sampson had two RBIs following her home run in the first.
Liddell took the loss, throwing six innings and allowing three runs on five hits while striking out three.