By Brendan Henry
The Surveyor

It only took the Lady Spartans three innings to win in Timnath on Thursday. Berthoud wasted no time getting 16 runners home while keeping their opponents off the board.

For Berthoud’s high standards this year, they had a bit of a slow start with only one run to their name in the first inning. Senior Cemryn Pickett started in the pitcher’s circle in the first, averting danger by getting the last out at first base with a runner prepped on third.

After warming up in the first inning, Berthoud rallied for eight runs in the top of the second. Having two outs in the first three pitches, the Lady Spartans found their fire and filled the bases as Timnath’s outfield could not make the right plays. Junior Lily Dodd went in to pitch the bottom of the second, facing only four batters with three quick outs and no score.

Wanting to end the game sooner rather than later, the Spartans extended the top of the third inning with another rally of seven runs. Finding gaps in the field and slugging a few to the outfield, the girls made it look easy going into the bottom of the third up 16 to nothing.

Timnath had to get something going on offense if they wanted to extend the game past the third, but after only four batters faced off against Dodd, they could not hang on. The game was called after only three innings and the final score would be 16-0, extending Berthoud’s win streak to six games and setting them up for an impressive 20-3 record.

Berthoud batted a dominant team average of .423 with Pickett having a perfect 1.000 in at-bats, sophomore Sadie Long getting a runner home with her hit in a single at-bat, junior Mollie McCrae and sophomore Annabelle Hughes with a .667 in three at-bats and sophomore Lexie Griffin hitting one of her two.

Pickett not only led the team in hits but also runs, finding home three times. Five players had two runs, those being Dodd, Griffin, freshman Alanna Lukensow, junior Mason Premer and Shaylee Spears. The defense dominated as well, allowing only one hit in three innings.

Still, Head Coach Buddy Kouns was not completely satisfied with the game despite the mercy rule.

“We did not play like we can play. We didn’t adjust, so the score, yeah, it’s good, but we got some work to do going into regionals,” Kouns said after the game. “We got the win. We didn’t have to play too long, and we also know we can be better than that, so we’ll work hard next week.”

Despite the acknowledgment of work that needs to be done, Kouns is still in high spirits about his team’s success this year.
“That’s a 20-3 regular season. That’s a phenomenal number. It’s a phenomenal number. It’s (been) a great, great year, so we’ll take it into the postseason,” Kouns said.

The Lady Spartans will now host regionals on Oct. 14 after having an incredible season.