Last night, the varsity softball team faced off against the Grandville Bulldogs in its first game. The Bulldogs are one of the Rangers’ toughest competition for this season, and it showed last night on the field. The Rangers struggled to stop the potent Bulldogs offense, and that ultimately led to Grandville’s 13-0 victory. 

The Rangers started off the game flat-footed on defense and couldn’t shut down the Bulldogs. Grandville was able to easily steal bases and score 3 runs. During the bottom half of the first inning, FHC struggled to hit the ball and got all three of their outs within the first four batters. Senior Val Nuffer was a spark from the leadoff position, as she singled on a 3-2 count before being stranded on third. The second inning was just like the first, and Grandville added 2 runs for a 5-0 lead early.

During the third inning, sophomore Kylie Halverson was able to make a huge catch in right field that picked up the Rangers’ defense. One of Grandville’s batters hit a pop up, and senior Tori Macleod was able to catch it and get FHC’s second out. Senior Hailey Enbody was able to get the last out when she snagged a line drive between first and second.

Val started the bottom of the third inning by picking up a walk after working a full count. Kylie was then able to get a base hit single for the Rangers and advance Val to third. Both runners were left stranded, as Grandville was able to avoid the scoring threat and hold FHC scoreless. 

The Bulldogs were held to just 1 run in the top of the fourth for a 6-0 lead, but FHC couldn’t get anything going on offense to cut the lead. 

Grandville busted the Rangers’ bullpen pitcher wide open to put up 7 runs in the top of the fifth. With yet another unproductive offensive inning, the Rangers lost it in the fifth on a mercy rule. 

This loss does not go towards FHC’s OK White conference record, but it does make the Rangers’ overall record 0-1. The Rangers will be facing off against Zeeland East in a doubleheader on Thursday for their first road game.