LEROY – In a way, Thursday’s IHSA Class 1A LeRoy Regional semifinal game against Fisher was a microcosm of the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley varsity softball team’s season.
The Falcons started the 2025 season with four straight wins en route to a 7-3 record by April 9, but ended the regular season with a 10-17 record.
On Thursday, GCMS started the game with a 1-0 lead but ended its season with a 11-1 loss to Fisher.
“We started off strong this season, and I think that kind of reflects how this game went. We started off really strong,” GCMS head coach Kara Smith said. “We came out ready with guns blazing, and then things just didn’t go our way. That’s a part of life. Some days, it goes your way. Some days, it doesn’t. Unfortunately, it didn’t go our way today.”
The LeRoy Regional semifinals were originally scheduled for Tuesday, but rainy weather postponed the LeRoy/Heyworth matchup, which LeRoy won 9-1, and the GCMS/Fisher matchup to Thursday, giving the Falcons (10-18) two extra days of practice.
“We were focused on hitting,” Smith said.
In the first inning, Bella Young singled to center field, advanced to second base on a passed ball and stole third base before scoring on an Izzy Gawthorp groundout.
Lydia Runyon, Jillian Rosendahl and Kolbie Eichelberger each finished the game with a hit for GCMS, all of whom are expected to be back next season.
“You could tell we had improvements by a lot of them within those three days,” Smith said. “If they keep at it, I can only imagine what 10 months of improvement is going to be.”
The Bunnies (14-12-1) then scored five runs in the second inning to take the lead, including a three-run homer by Paige Hott, who also tallied an RBI single in a fourth inning in which Fisher scored three runs to extend its lead to 9-1. Kierstyn Murphy hit an RBI single for the Bunnies in a two-run fifth inning.
With the loss, the Falcons say goodbye to four seniors: Mallory Rosendahl, Kyra Kietzman, Thais Rodriguez and Brooklyn Robinson.
“I’m proud of all four seniors,” Smith said. “They’ll do great things. They’re the scrappiest group of seniors I’ve ever had. They’ll do anything they’ll put their minds to.”
On the mound, Jillian Rosendahl allowed five runs – one earned – on three hits and two walks through 1 2/3 innings pitched. Lydia Runyon allowed four unearned runs on two hits and two walks with one strikeout through 2 1/3 innings while Izzy Gawthorp allowed two runs – one earned – on one hit and three walks through one-third of an inning.
“It’s on to the next season,” Smith said.
Fisher 11, GCMS 1
GCMS 100 00 — 1 4 6
FISH 051 32 — 11 6 0
W – Kierstyn Murphy, 5 IP, 4 H, ER, K, 0 BB. L – Jillian Rosendahl, 1.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, ER, 0 K, 2 BB.
GCMS (10-18) – Bella Young 1-2, R. Izzy Gawthorp RBI. Lydia Runyon 1-2. Jillian Rosendahl 1-2. Kolbie Eichelberger 1-2.
Fisher (14-12-1) – Kierstyn Murphy 1-4, RBI. Paige Hott 2-3, HR, 4 RBIs, 2 R. Addison Schulze 1-4, R. Naomi Dickey R, 2 BB. Avery Carleton 1-3, R. Kimberly Schoonover R. Brooklynn Kellems R, 2 BB. Maylie Evans 1-2, RBI, R.