News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2009

SOFTBALL COMETS SPLIT FINAL DOUBLEHEADER OF FALL

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the Cottey Comets played their only home doubleheader of the fall preseason and split the games with the visiting Ravens from Coffeyville Community College. The Kansans took the opening game 2-7, but the Comets came back to capture the second game 3-1.

In the opener, the Ravens seemed to know everything second-year starter Megan Steffens was throwing. According to head coach Greg Tietz, Steffens throws seven different pitches and the Ravens were hitting all of them.

Coffeyville scored in the first inning on a defensive error, and continued to add to their lead in each of the first four innings, scoring six of their seven runs in those innings. The Comets were able to plate a run in the third on a Coffeyville error, but couldn't seem to get much offense going against the Ravens' pitching. A home run in the fifth by second-year player Kylie Robbins was the only other run the Comets could muster in the game.

The second game was a well-pitched, well-played battle by both teams. First-year pitcher Jamie Penick from Nixa threw a masterful game. If not for an error in the fourth which allowed a run to score, she would have pitched a complete game shutout.

The Comets got that run back in the bottom of the fourth when first-year player Candy Price from Ava drove a pitch deep into left center to drive in Penick.

In the fifth, it looked as though the Ravens would score again as they had the bases loaded with one out. However, great defense by the Comets, and a base running error by Coffeyville, ended the inning. With the bases full, the Ravens hit an infield grounder which was fielded and thrown sharply to first. A quick toss to second base, however, caught the Coffeyville runner off of the bag for a double play and a scoreless end to the inning.

The Comets were able to take advantage of a bases-loaded situation of their own in the sixth. A base hit by Steffens drove in two runs and gave Penick all the runs she needed to close out the game and grab the win.

The Comets now go into the off season and will prepare for their spring opener at Park Hills, Missouri, on February 20 when they face Mineral Area Community College.