Comet comeback effort against Trailblazers spoiled in seventh inning

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — With a lineup filled with hitters who can turn on a pitch, Charles City’s offense can turn a game around in a single half inning no matter how many runs it’s chasing.

During the final game of the Jerry Newton Softball Classic hosted by the Comets on Saturday, Charles City found itself down early after Beckman Catholic rallied for 4 runs in the top of the first.

After not scoring in their half of the first despite having bases loaded with one out, the Comets eventually broke loose in the third with a 4-run rally of their own to tie the game (4-4) before going up 6-5 through five innings.

But the Comets gave the Trailblazers a couple of extra outs in the top of the seventh, paving way for a 6-run rally that eventually led to Beckman Catholic 11-6 victory.

Senior Emma Karcher had two hits and an RBI for the Trailblazers (3-4), who had earlier lost to Class 1A No. 5-ranked Clarksville 6-5 in the middle of three tournament games.

The Comets pounded out 13 hits in a losing cause. Senior third baseman Brooklyn Molitor had four of them (4 for 4) with an RBI and a run scored.

Senior Mya Rimrod was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI, and also made a pair of running catches while protrolling left field to rob several Trailblazers of extra-base hits; senior leadoff hitter Emerson Bohlen was 2 for 4 with a run scored; and eighth-grade catcher Ali Shirley was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI for the Comets, who lost their third straight after starting the season 2-0.

Earlier, the Comets lost the morning game to Clarksville 10-1. Senior Claire Lodge was 2 for 4 with a solo home run for the undefeated Indians (4-0).

On the way to achieving a six-hit day, Molitor was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI against Clarksville.

After Monday’s away game against Waterloo West, the Comets return home on Tuesday to host Humboldt.