Comets Wrap Up Busy Week Across Softball, Flag Football, and Track

Softball Continues Conference Domination with Six-Game Sweep

The Cottey College softball team extended its winning streak with six straight victories last week, sweeping Hannibal-LaGrange, Mission, and Central Baptist to improve to 30-7 overall and 13-1 in AMC play.

The week began Tuesday with a doubleheader sweep at Hannibal-LaGrange. The Comets won the opener 4-1 behind three hits from Amelia Gassman and another strong outing from Addison Tippie in the circle. Cottey followed with a 10-0 run-rule victory in game two as Alma Garcia went 3-for-3 with a home run and Estelle Audette drove in two runs.

Cottey stayed rolling Friday against Mission, earning 9-0 and 10-2 wins. Garcia and Makayla Snyder each had four RBI in the opener, while Angelica Tello tossed a complete-game shutout. In game two, Snyder launched a grand slam and finished with four RBI as the Comets totaled 11 hits.

The Comets completed the six-game sweep Saturday with 2-0 and 7-2 victories over Central Baptist. Amelia Gassman and Alma Garcia homered in the opener, while Estelle Audette, Garcia, and Snyder all went deep in the nightcap. Over the six-game stretch, Cottey outscored its opponents 42-5. The Comets also received national recognition this week, earning votes in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. Alma Garcia was named the AMC Hitter of the Week after a dominant stretch at the plate.

Flag Football Earns Road Win, Battles to Double Overtime in Season Finale

Flag football closed out its season with three games last week.

Cottey dropped a 24-0 contest to Baker on Tuesday despite four tackles each from Dominique Derraco-Franklin and Xitlali Botts.

The Comets bounced back Saturday with a 26-14 win at Saint Mary. Raniya Griffin threw for 197 yards and three touchdowns, including scoring passes to Xitlali Botts and Dominique Derraco-Franklin. Botts finished with 105 receiving yards, while Griffin also intercepted two passes on defense.

Cottey wrapped up the season Sunday with a 20-13 double-overtime loss to Hesston. Griffin threw for two touchdowns, including the game-tying score to Jonalynn Tolentino with 30 seconds left in regulation. Kaya Salazar and Monica Blanc led the defense with a combined 21 tackles and five sacks.

Esports Compete in Overwatch and Valorant Play

The Comets competed in both Overwatch and Valorant action last week. Cottey dropped a 3-0 decision in its Overwatch matchup before also falling in its Valorant contest.

Track and Field's Fee Claims Steeplechase Title at Pittsburg State Tune-Up

Track and field wrapped up the week Sunday at the Pittsburg State Tune-Up.

Madalenn Fee led the Comets with a victory in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, crossing in 11:21.11. Fee also added a fourth-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles in 1:07.24.

Kate Soukup placed third in the invitational 800 meters with a time of 2:21.88, while Joliette Johnson finished third in the open 800 in 2:24.46. Jessie Mick added a seventh-place finish in the event at 2:30.41.

Avery Morris placed sixth in the 5,000 meters in 20:02.59, followed by Kyndal Soukup in ninth and Arabelle McDonald in 11th. Hannah Hayduk competed in both the 200 and 400 meters, posting times of 28.02 and 1:02.66, respectively.

The Comets also received a 15th-place finish from Heather Hayduk in the javelin with a throw of 20.93 meters, while the 4x400 relay team of Hannah Hayduk, Elizabeth Dirickson, Johnson, and Mick finished seventh in 4:29.83.

Following her performance, Fee was named the AMC Women's Runner of the Week.

Coming up

• Golf – competes at the Bent Tree Intercollegiate hosted by Iowa Western in Council Bluffs, IA on Monday and Tuesday, April 20-21.
• Softball – hit the road vs. Williams Baptist, Thursday, April 23 at 1:00 and 3:00 PM then vs. Crowley's Ridge, Friday, April 24 at 1:00 and 3:00 PM.
• Track & Field – compete at the Kip Janvrin Open hosted by Simpson College in Indianola, IA on Friday, April 24.