The beginning of a new season is filled with hope, and excitement and Thursday night one could definitely tell those feelings were there at Hampton softball field as Chadron fell to Southern Valley/Alama 9-8.
The first inning saw no scoring as Chadron starter Jodean Chesley got through unscathed. Chadron went three up, three down in their first at bats of the season. The second inning saw the first strike in the game as Kaitlyn Bradley hit a grand slam to put the Southern Valley/Alama Saints up 4-0. That spelled the end of the day for Chesley as Cardinals coach Jodi Hendrickson went to freshman Jae Gooder. Gooder came out strong, holding the Saints scoreless until the top of the seventh. She was also getting help from her offense with Chadron getting a run back in the bottom of the third when Addie Gruver scored after getting her first varsity hit and stolen base. Chadron took the lead in the fifth with Averielle Sager scoring off a Jae Gooder RBI.
The Saints batted around in the top of the seventh, scoring five to take a 9-7 lead. The Cardinals were able to get one back but the rally fell short 9-8.
Chadron is 0-1 on the season and will play Southern Valley/Alma once again Saturday morning in their first games of the Lexington Invite.
Other action Thursday at Hampton Field saw Bayard defeating Southern Valley/Alma 8-6 and Chadron defeating the Saints in JV action 6-4.