The Atlantic Trojans softball team suffered a tough 10-7 loss to the Clarinda Cardinals on Saturday night in the Class 3A region 2 semifinals. After one inning the ball game remained tied as both starting pitchers looked confident in the circle. The first score of the night was an RBI single from Addison Wagoner for Clarinda in the bottom of the second inning as the bases were loaded putting them up 1-0. The runs would not stop there when Ryplee Sunderman struck a strong double towards center field to bring in 2 more runs putting the Cardinals up 3-0. It was then Annika Price’s turn to bat, and she also hit herself a 2 RBI double with runners on second and third base making it a 5-0 lead. Things shifted for Atlantic starting pitcher Riley Wood as she gave up no hits or runs in the next three innings for the Clarinda. Atlantic’s initial response in the bottom of the fourth inning was to take advantage from a poorly timed throw at first, helping Zoey Kirchoff come in for a score to change the lead at 5-1.

When the top of the fifth came around Atlantic was ready to score. The inning started with a double by Claire Pellett and saw a sac fly by Riley Wood chip into the score at 5-2. Lila Wiederstein then got her first hit of the night to put her on first and Zoey Kirchhoff had a monstrous swing off of the first pitch for a 2-run homer. Suddenly the game was 5-4 and Clarinda seemed to be in trouble. In the bottom of the fifth Clarinda could only get one batter to first base as the rest hit pop flies. The top of the sixth inning was now crucial for Atlantic, but even with two singles the Trojans could not muster up a score.

In the bottom of the sixth inning is where Clarinda took control of the game again, scoring 5 runs off of 5 hits and forcing the relief pitcher Peyton McLaren to come in. The Cardinals were now up 10-4 after six innings and it looked almost over for the Trojans. Atlantic decided to start the top of the seventh inning off with a walk and base hit to put two runners on. A deep hit out towards left field by McLaren which popped out of Presley Jobe’s added two more runs to Trojans score. Suddenly it was 10-6 game with only one out for Atlantic. The Trojans then grounded out for the second out but did have one more run by a Claire Schroder single making it 10-7. Atlantic’s last at bat would end in a strikeout, giving the victory to Clarinda.

Trojans head coach Terry Hinzmann was proud of the way his team battled against a solid Cardinals opponent.

Zoey Kirchoff had an impressive night batting going 2-4, with 2 RBI’s, and a home run. Claire Pellet also played well in her last game as a Trojan with a 2-3 performance and with one of those hits being a double. Clarinda’s win will have them advance to play PCM on Tuesday night in Monroe for the Class 3A region 2 championship. Atlantic’s loss has them finishing the season with a record of 27-13.