Comets get walk-off win over Mustangs in softball home-opener

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — With two runners aboard and no outs, nothing gets you out of such jams than the good ‘ol 1-3-4 tripleplay.

After three complete scoreless innings during Charles City’s softball season opener against visiting Independence on Tuesday, the Mustangs were threatening with runners at first and second.

That threat was promptly erased shortly after Comet senior starting pitcher Natalie White fielded a low liner in the circle. The two Mustang runners hesitated before simultaneously advancing to the next base.

With the umpiring crew ruling in unison that White caught the ball on the fly, it was an easy tripleplay for the Comets to get out of the half inning.

The Mustangs eventually took a 1-0 lead in the fifth while scoring on a wild pitch. But Charles City eventually tied the game in the latter half of the inning.

Then with the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the seventh, Comet junior Lauren Staudt hit a hot hopper that ate up Independence’s shortstop amid a drawn-in infield to drive home the winning run in a 2-1 final.

Staudt was 2 for 4 for the night, and Comet leadoff hitter Emerson Bohlen also was 2 for 4 with an RBI for Charles City.

Comet freshman Keely Anderegg pitched three scoreless innings in relief and was the winning pitcher of record.

* The following night, the Comets traveled to Waterloo West and — despite taking an early lead — Charles City lost its first game of the season in an 8-3 final.

Charles City (1-1) will be back in action on the road Friday when it takes on Cedar Falls in a non-conference game tentatively scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. at Robinson Dresser Sports Complex.

On Saturday, the Comets will host a tournament starting at 10 a.m. Teams scheduled to participate are Class 1A No. 14-ranked Clarksville and Columbus Catholic.