Comets dispatch North Arkansas to reach 10 victories

The Cottey Comets’ softball team dazzled on the diamond Wednesday, sweeping a twinbill with visiting North Arkansas College. The Comets cruised to an 8-2 victory in the opener, and then throttled North Arkansas 10-1 in the nightcap.

After winning only three of its previous 88 contests entering the season, the Cottey softball program has turned things around in a big way, as the victories improve the Comets to 10-12 overall at the season’s midpoint.

Game one

North Arkansas was able to get to Comets’ starting pitcher Marisa Jervis early, plating two runs in the top of the first inning to grab an early lead.

The Comets evened the contest 2-2 in the bottom of third, courtesy of a Hannah Bridges 2-RBI double, scoring Izzy Milligan and Machala Coffman. The Comets then went on top 3-2 when Milligan blasted a solo home run in the fifth, the first of her collegiate career.

Cottey broke the game open in the sixth, as Lily Brockus mashed a 3-run home run out of Vanek Family Field as Cottey led 6-2. The Comet lead further increased in the sixth via Justice Owens’ run-scoring single, plating Jessica Manderino.

For Cottey, Jervis went the distance, notching her eighth victory of the season.

Game two

Cottey’s bats stayed hot in the nightcap, as the Comets plated six first-inning runs. At the dish, Bridges, Jackie Nix, Brockus, Patri Eckert, and Coffman each collected first-inning run-scoring base hits. The Comets padded its lead, scoring a run in the third and three in the fourth en route to its 10th victory of the season.

For Cottey, Coffman drove in four runs, while both Nix and Brockus finished an identical 3-for-3 at the plate, as the duo combined for four runs scored. Eckert concluded the game 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs; while Delia Lynch and Milligan chipped in with two hits apiece.

For Cottey in the circle, Coffman picked up her second victory of the season, allowing just one run over four innings of work.

Note: The 10 victories for Cottey is the most in program history for a single season.

Up next

The Comets face Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College, next Wednesday in Fort Scott.