Crowder Softball Shows Grit and Growth, Battling Through Challenging Road Week
Crowder College softball went 1–3 on the week, with a split at Butler Community College before dropping two tightly contested games on the road at Labette Community College. Despite the results, Crowder showed flashes of offensive power and received solid pitching efforts throughout the week.
March 17 – Crowder 10, Butler CC 1
Crowder opened the week in dominant fashion, rolling to a five-inning 10–1 win over Butler. The Roughriders jumped ahead early with three runs in the first and broke the game open with a five-run fourth inning.
Josie Henson led the offense with a three-run home run, while Madelief Croonen and Jordan Goodell also homered. Croonen drove in two runs, and Goodell finished with two RBIs and two runs scored. Carly Cook added speed pressure on the bases with two stolen bases, and Callie Cooper chipped in an RBI.
In the circle, Tessa Groeneveld was in full control, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out seven to earn the win.
March 17 – Butler CC 9, Crowder 2
Butler responded in the second game of the doubleheader, pulling away late for a 9–2 victory. Crowder kept things close early, with Evelyn Comstock providing the highlight by hitting a two-run home run and finishing with both Crowder RBIs.
Layla Pasley reached base twice and scored a run, while Carly Cook added a double. Butler broke the game open with a five-run sixth inning. Olivia Hemme took the loss after allowing four runs, and Butler’s bullpen held Crowder hitless over the final 3.1 innings.
March 19 – Labette CC 5, Crowder 4 (10 innings)
Crowder battled through extra innings but fell 5–4 in 10 innings in the opener at Labette. The Roughriders scored single runs in the first, second, fifth, and sixth innings but couldn’t push across the go-ahead run late.
Callie Cooper drove in two runs, while Madelief Croonen added an RBI. Josie Henson and Carly Cook each scored and swiped multiple bases, creating pressure throughout the game.
In the circle, Groeneveld and Hemme combined for 9.2 innings, allowing five runs, but Labette walked it off in the bottom of the 10th.
March 19 – Labette CC 6, Crowder 2
The week concluded with a 6–2 loss to Labette in the series finale. Crowder scored twice in the first inning, highlighted by an RBI from Madelief Croonen, but Labette answered with four runs in the second and never relinquished the lead.
Gracie Ford went 2-for-2 and scored a run, while Carly Cook drew two walks and scored. Faith Evans provided stability in relief, tossing four innings and allowing just one run, but Labette’s early offense proved too much to overcome.
Week at a Glance
- Record: 1–3
- Key Contributors:
- Josie Henson: Home run, 3 RBIs, aggressive baserunning
- Madelief Croonen: Power and run production in multiple games
- Jordan Goodell: Home run, strong defensive presence
- Tessa Groeneveld: Win at Butler, 17 strikeouts across the week
Crowder showed resilience and power throughout the lineup, particularly against Butler, and will look to turn close losses into wins as conference play continues.
Roughriders return to action Tuesday at home in a Show Me Conference match up vs State Fair CC.