The top-seeded Grand View Christian Thunder just got blindsided, falling 4-3 to the No. 8 seed Cardinal Comets on Monday in the Class 2A Iowa state softball tournament opener at Rogers Sports Complex. It was a tough start for the Thunder, but thanks to the new double-elimination format, their season is far from over.
Underdog Pitcher Stymies Top Seed
Cardinal pitcher Maclain Hickenbottom was on fire, absolutely carving up the Thunder lineup. She held GVC to a measly four hits and racked up nine strikeouts, shutting down the powerful offense when it mattered most. GVC coach Krista DeMeulenaere herself gave full credit, saying Hickenbottom “threw a spectacular game” and “kept us off balance.” The Thunder fell behind early, giving up a run in the first and three more in the top of the fourth, putting them in a 4-1 hole. Sophie Bird did drive in a run in the first to get GVC on the board, but the Comets had the momentum.
Thunder Fights Back, Coach Loves the Format
GVC showed their fight in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three times after Harper Rosado and Grace Kruse each drove in a run. Suddenly, they had runners on second and third with two outs, threatening to tie or even take the lead. But Hickenbottom, clutch as heck, forced a ground out to escape the jam. She then slammed the door shut, retiring GVC in order in the final two innings to seal the 4-3 victory for Cardinal, who now boast a 17-10 record. Chloe Cox took the loss for GVC, giving up four runs on four hits, three walks, and one strikeout over seven innings. Kruse, Cox, Leighton Beemer, and Maiah Murphy each recorded one hit for the Thunder.
Despite the upset, GVC’s 27-4 record means they are still a force, and they will now head to the losers bracket. Coach DeMeulenaere is actually stoked about the double-elimination format, remembering a 2015 tournament where a single loss ended her team’s run. She loves that “every time we come out here to the field there is a chance to keep moving on.” Plus, GVC has some depth at pitcher with eighth-grader Eperlie Weitzel, which could be huge as they try to battle back. Coach DeMeulenaere believes it is crucial to “develop a second pitcher,” and they are lucky to have that option.
The Thunder are back on the field on July 21, and you know they will be fired up. With the double-elimination safety net, GVC has a chance to shake off this loss and prove why they were the top seed all along.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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