Sterling’s softball team took advantage of one big inning in both games to fuel a sweep of Hillsboro Friday at Sterling.
The Black Bears inflated a 3-0 lead in Game 1 with a eight-run fourth inning on the way to a 12-2 win.
In Game 2, the Black Bears rallied from an early 7-0 Hillsboro lead with three runs in second inning and seven more in the third, and went on to win, 17-8.
With the two losses, the Trojans fell to 0-12 for the season.
In the opener, Hillsboro struggled to score against Sterling’s hard-throwing pitcher, Emma Horsch, but trailed only 3-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth.
But eight hits and three walks off Hillsboro starter Taylor Helmer, plus a couple of infield errors, opened the gates for eight home-team runs.
The Trojans did rally for a couple of runs in the top of the fifth on a double by Trinity Malm, a bloop single by Cheyenne Bernhardt and a two-run double by Shannon Heiser.
In the nightcap, the Trojans enjoyed their biggest inning of the season when they jumped on Sterling’s No. 2 pitcher, Sydnee Carder, for seven runs in the top of the second.
Sam Moss, Helmer, Kalen Moss, Sarah Jost, Malm and Bernhardt each contributed singles. Two Sterling errors aided the Trojan cause.
The Black Bears responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning, then broke loose for seven more in the third to take the lead for good.
Coming—The Trojans were scheduled to play at Nickerson April 26, then host Haven at the Sports Complex on Friday. The Trojans’ April 19 home game against Larned was rescheduled for May 2 because of weather.