STORY BY ROB KISER - PIQUA DAILY CALL
BEAVERCREEK — The Piqua softball team was in another close contest Thursday, losing 2-1 to Beavercreek.

“We have been in every game since the season started March 31,” Piqua coach Rick Claprood said about his team’s 3-5 record. “Tina (Byrd) continues to throw well. We are solid on defense. I think our infield is really strong. We are hitting the ball. Sometimes, we hit it right at people, but we are hitting the ball.”

Piqua took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Kat Nicodemus singled, was sacrificed to second and scored on Jessica Wilhelm’s single.

Piqua kept the lead until Beavercreek scored two runs in the sixth.

“We just didn’t score enough runs to win,” Claprood said. “Once we learn to move runners and get a couple clutch hits, there is no question we are going to be a force.”

Byrd pitched an eight-hitter, striking out eight.

Nicodemus had two hits, while Miranda Baker doubled. Betsy Stine and Nikki Payne had hits and Payne picked three runners off.

“Nikki had a great game defensively,” Claprood said.

Piqua will play at Springfield North today.

LINESCORE
Piqua .................100 000 0 — 1 6 0
Beavercreek .......000 002 x — 2 8 1
Byrd and Payne. Witt and Skinner. 2B-Piqua: Baker. Records: Piqua 3-5.

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