MINDEN – Remember when head coach Scott Foster thought his girls weren’t up to the level they should by playing?
Apparently they heard the message.
Cozad went on a tear through the Minden triangular Thursday afternoon, as the Lady Haymakers won two games and solidified their status among the Class B ranks.
The Lady Makers opened up with Hastings Adams Central, who narrowly edged out Lexington last weekend.
The game was just as close, as Adams Central attempted a comeback after an early deficit, but strong pitching once again propelled Cozad, as the Makers defeated the Lady Patriots 5-3.
Allyson Huntley was clutch for the Haymakers in the third inning, as she sent a bomb over the fence for Cozad’s first home run of the season, a three-run shot, that gave Cozad a 3-0 lead.
Cozad put one more run up during the top half of the third to hold a comfortable 4-0 lead. The lead did not last long.
Starting pitcher Carly Henry was sitting them down just as fast as they were coming up to bat, but in the fifth inning, finally solved her as the Patriots began to mount a comeback late, scoring three runs in the bottom half of the fifth to cut the score to 5-3.
Adams Central couldn’t produce any more runs, as Henry was solid the rest of the way and Cozad picked up its third straight victory.
Henry moved to 4-0, giving up one earned run on two hits and striking out 10 batters.
Huntley finished 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs, including the home run.
After the big win, the Haymakers then took on the host Whippets for their final game of the evening.
Cozad wasted no time in putting this game away, as a huge first inning propelled Cozad to a 12-0 victory in three innings.
The Lady Makers produced eight runs in the first inning, by far its best start to a game all season long, while Minden struggled to solve the pitching of Allyson Huntley.
Huntley had a great two games for Cozad, with the home run in Game 1, then in Game 2 , struck out all nine batters, and threw a perfect game for Cozad, the first of her high school career.
After defeating McCook also on Tuesday, Cozad now sits at 5-1 on the season and now seems to be at a steady pace to wreak havoc on more Class B schools.
Cozad is in McCook today, taking part in the McCook invitational. Results will be in the Sept. 8 issue of the Clipper-Herald.

• Cozad Haymakers

Support your favorite teams and athletes by leaving a comment below