COZAD – Two of the state’s best softball teams collided Thursday night in Cozad, as rivals Cozad and Gothenburg met in the season opener for both teams.
Cozad, relying on their ace pitcher Carly Henry, scored early and the defense held strong as the No. 8 ranked Lady Haymakers hung on 4-3 for a critical win at the beginning of the 2010 season.
Kylee Griffis scored in the bottom of the first inning after an illegal pitch allowed the junior to score, while Jessica Finnegan scored the second run when Henry singled down the third base line.
Cozad extended their lead after Henry shutout the side in the top of the second, as Allyson Huntley doubled, then Griffis was credited with an RBI after a single to right field brought in Huntley.
Gothenburg finally was able to crack the goose egg on the scoreboard when Roni Putnam singled to center field, bringing in a run that had reached base on an error, to bring the score to 3-1.
Cozad’s Stephanie Finnegan added more insurance in the fifth inning, when she singled, bringing in Griffis. The RBI single extended Cozad’s lead to 4-1.
One swing of the bat almost changed everything.
After a Shay Wear single, Shelby Eggleston homered to left centerfield, cutting the Haymaker lead to one run, as Gothenburg crept back to trail 4-3.
The Haymaker defense was lights out for the rest of the game as Henry’s pitching shut down the Swedes offense, allowing Cozad to hang on for the big victory.
“Gothenburg is always a good measuring stick for us,” head coach Scott Foster said. “They are a good team and it gives us a good look as to where we are.”
Henry finished with a complete game, allowing only four hits and striking out 13 batters on her way to her first victory of the season.
“She needs to be critical for us,” Foster said. “She was putting pitches in good spots and she looked good after not pitching much during the summer.”
Cozad (1-0) will travel to Holdrege over the weekend to take part in the Holdrege Tournament. There the Lady Haymakers will start off the tournament with Gering (0-2) at 9 a.m.
Lady Haymakers will start next week by traveling to district rival McCook on Tuesday, with games starting at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

• Cozad Haymakers

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