The Cuba High School softball team’s season wrapped up this week after hosting Newburg on Oct. 13 and competing in Districts on Oct. 15 against Sullivan. 

Against Newburg, the Lady Wildcats fell into an 8-0 hole after two innings. 

However, Cuba battled, didn’t get mercy ruled and played all seven innings. The Wildcats ended up falling 15-2, but recorded nine hits and had multiple standouts. 

Cuba seniors Shannon Black, Jerri Forester and Gabby Garms all reached base multiple times in their last game at Steve Schuette Field. Black had three hits, stole a base and scored twice. Forester singled, doubled and knocked in two runners. Garms singled, walked and stole a base. Junior Kaylynn Wilkerson laced two singles and stole a base. Makenlei Shafferkoetter pitched a complete game for the Lady Wildcats.

Cuba then competed against Owensville on Oct. 15 in the first round of districts. Sullivan’s bats were hot early, scoring three in the first, eight in the second and six in the third to pull away and win 17-2. Black recorded the only hit for the Lady Cats. Keira Long walked and was the only other baserunner. 

Cuba’s season ended with a 1-23 record in head coach James Steiner’s first year at the helm. Cuba will be losing senior catcher Forester, who hit .418, was tied for the team lead with 23 hits, scored 14 runs, knocked in 12 runs, and was tied for the team lead in stolen bases with nine. The Wildcats will also lose their leadoff hitter, Black, who posted a .386 batting average and led the team with 15 runs batted in and 21 runs scored. Garms hit .304, knocked in nine runs and stole eight bases. Fellow senior Sage Hanes was tied for the team lead in walks with 11, hit six doubles, and played a great third base for Cuba, leading the team in 18 assists. 

Cuba will have slugger Kaylynn Wilkerson returning for her senior year after she led the team with a .434 batting average, was tied for the team lead in hits with 23 and hit the only home run of the year for the Lady Wildcats. Cuba will have its best pitcher Shafferkoetter returning along with starters Savannah and Teryn Vass, Lilly Becherer, Keira Long and Brooke Tiner.