Errors continue to haunt Tigers

(Photo by Jeff Hasseslmann) Spencer shortstop Ally Mahrt puts the bat on the ball during Lakes Conference play against Le Mars Monday, June 29, 2009, in Spencer. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

After closing out this weekend's Spencer Softball Invitational with more combined errors than hits in four games, the Tigers continued to have problems in the field Monday in their return to Lakes Conference action.

Spencer had seven errors, leading to seven unearned runs, and Le Mars needed just six innings to hand the Tigers a 10-0 loss.

A second-inning double from Ali Garman and a third-inning single from Lindsay Wicks were Spencer's only hits.

Le Mars pitcher Jordan Heidebrink faced just five batters over the minimum, walking one and striking out seven in a complete game shutout.

The Bulldogs scored their runs in twos after a scoreless first inning. Le Mars pushed across two runs on one hit in the top of the second. Two errors in both the third and fourth innings helped Le Mars increase its lead to 6-0. The Bulldogs added two runs in the fifth and sixth innings also.

Just two of Le Mars' six hits drove in runs. The remaining eight runs crossed the plate on errors, wild pitches or passed balls.

Amy McLaury surrendered 10 runs -- three earned -- on six hits in six innings of work. She walked one and struck out four.

Spencer falls to 5-18 overall, 3-9 in the Lakes Conference. The Tigers host Spirit Lake Wednesday.