The North Tama Lady Redhaws have played in two tournaments over the past two weekends, with mixed results. They returned home on Friday, June 1, for a home contest against their toughest opponent yet this season, Don Bosco Catholic. The junior varsity team was in action first, with varsity action following. The JV ladies played some good baseball in the opening game. Above, second baseman Shannon Stuart blocks the bag and tags out the opposing runner on a steal attempt, with a throw right on target from catcher Christy Calderwood. Below left, Stuart gives some backup to shortstop Anna Kvidera on an infield fly. Below, pitcher Sarah Howard delivers a pitch during the third inning of play.

The North Tama Redhawks softball team has had its share of ups and downs in the still-young 2012 season. Despite dropping the final two games of a Saturday tournament in Gladbrook, the ladies have displayed some offensive firepower that helped them on their way to wins over West Central, Janesville and GMG over the past week.

Following their dramatic come-from-behind win against Northeast Hamilton in the home opener on May 23, the ladies shut out Dike-New Hartford in a road contest on May 25.

Freshman pitcher Sarah Howard clamped down on the mound and pitched four shutout innings, allowing just two hits on the day. On the offensive side, right fielder Christy Calderwood had three hits, including two for extra bases, and drove in two of the Redhawks’ runs. Howard and shortstop Sydney Fehr also had two RBI apiece.

Emma Knoop, Shayla Kopriva and Rachel Rohach also had hits in the contest, which ended in the top of the fifth inning when the Lady Redhawks reached the eight-run mercy rule mark.

The following day was a busy one, with the team heading to Jesup for a three-game Saturday tournament. In the opening game of the day, pitcher Emma Knoop had a difficult time stopping the Sumner-Fredericksburg offense, allowing seven earned runs. Third baseman Shannon Stuart was the only Redhawk to record more than one hit on the offensive side. The team fell 9-2.

The day’s second game was similarly difficult for the North Tama ladies, as they fell 8-3 to the host team, Jesup. Center fielder Allie Zobel did have three hits in the game.

The third and final game of the day yielded a much more palatable result for the Redhawks, as they outslugged West Central, Maynard by a score of 15-10. There was plenty of offense to go around, and the team was able to capitalize on errors and a bevy of walks by the opposing pitcher.

The girls continued their offensive output and coupled it with solid pitching after a three-day layoff to beat Janesville 13-2 on the road the following Wednesday.

Shortstop Sydney Fehr, center fielder Allie Zobel and designated hitter Sarah Howard each had three hits apiece. Catcher Sam Zobel also had three RBI in the contest. Emma Knoop had a solid day on the mound, giving up just five hits and allowing two earned runs.

The season’s toughest test to date, a home game against Don Bosco Catholic last Friday, brought the Lady Redhawks back down to earth, as they suffered a 7-1 defeat. Christy Calderwood was the only Redhawk to notch more than one hit in the contest. Knoop was once again on the mound, and struck out four.

This past weekend’s tournament started positively, with a 15-5 win over Green Mountain Garwin. Sydeny Fehr was a one-woman wrecking crew, driving in four runs on four hits, two of which were doubles.

But the Lady Redhawks were unable to capitalize on the electric start to the day, dropping the following two games to host Gladbrook-Reinbeck and Lisbon 6-2 and 9-1, respectively.

Sarah Howard was on the mound against GR, with Emma Knoop facing off against Lisbon. Incoming freshman Madison Howard also got some action late in the game, pitching two scoreless innings and striking out one.

The North Tama girls were back in action at home on Wednesday, June 6, against Dunkerton, the former school of Head Coach Bob Cue. That contest ended too late to be included in this publication.

The Traer Star-Clipper will have continuing coverage of the team as they head into the heart of the season, with four home games scheduled over the next week.