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Pitching was on display in game one, and Ellsworth's Kim Hoeksema, a freshman, out-dueled Bellaire's Logan Edgecomb in game one.

Hoeksema shut out the Eagles and their usually potent offense, leading the Lancers to a 1-0 win. She struck out 14 batters and only gave up one hit, a triple to Edgecomb in the top of the fourth. She worked out of that jam by getting a strikeout and a fly ball.

"The kids played real well," Ellsworth head coach Jack Danbert said after the game. "They didn't make any mistakes, and that's the name of the game."

The game was also a confidence booster for the Lancers, especially if the two teams meet in the postseason.

"Bellaire knows they can be beat, and we know we can beat them," Danbert said.

Ellsworth scored the game's only run in the bottom of the second inning.

Emily Veenstra led off with a single and was moved to second on a walk to Hoeksema. Two batters later, Abbi Miller hit an RBI single to center field to plate Veenstra.

A walk to Haley Drenth loaded the bases, but Edgecomb got out of the jam with a strikeout and a grounder to end the inning.

Edgecomb struck out 10 batters in game one but took the loss.

The Lancers got off to a strong start in game two, but couldn't hold on and lost 5-3 in six innings.

Tempers flared during the second game as some Bellaire fans thought the umpires weren't officiating the pitching rules correctly.

"I'm a little disappointed with Bellaire's sportsmanship," Danbert said. "They need to be positive. It's the umpires' game and the kids' game."

Ellsworth scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Haley Drenth reached base on an error and two batters later moved to second when Kelcie Drenth reached on an infield single.

With two outs, the Drenths moved up to third and second, respectively, on a passed ball. It didn't matter because Jalyn Ingalls drew a walk to load the bases.

Veenstra stepped up to the plate and drilled a long three run single to clear the bases.

Edgecomb struck out the next batter to end the inning.

It was all Bellaire the rest of the way.

They got one run back in the top of the second on an RBI from Amanda Shawl that plated Mary Walsh, who had reached on an error.

Bellaire then tied the game in the top of the third. Amanda Rade drew a walk and made it all the way around the bases to score on passed balls.

Edgecomb hit a single and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Walsh drove her home with a single. The inning ended with Ellsworth catcher Haley Drenth gunning down Walsh trying to steal second.

Bellaire scored their last two runs in the top of the fourth.

Shawl reached on a walk and then stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball after Hoeksema recorded two strikeouts.

With two outs and Sadie Small up to bat, Shawl baited a throw to third from Haley Drenth and stole home to give Bellaire a 4-3 lead.

Small ended up walking and after another walk was issued to Amanda Rade, Kara Liverance drove Small home with an RBI single.

Ê For Bellaire coach Katie Verellen, the key to the second game was a better approach at the plate for the Eagles.

"Once we started swinging, good things happened and we scored runs," she said. She was happy to see her team get to Hoeksema, a pitcher they might see in districts.

"We know we can hit off their pitcher," she said. "The second game gives us confidence going into districts.

"We know we can (hit), it just matters if they (the Eagles) decide to do it."

Edgecomb struck out eight batters and claimed the win in game two. Hoeksema fanned 12 in the loss.