After a tough stretch of 17 losses in a row to start the season, the Cuba High School softball team broke through for their first victory on Oct. 7 against Maplewood Richmond Heights.

The Lady Wildcats came out swinging after taking the 70-mile bus ride, putting up eight runs in the first inning en route to a 15-9 win. Jerri Forrester, Kaylynn Wilkerson and Gabby Garms each had four hits for Cuba, which recorded a season-high 26 hits in the game. Shannon Black, Teryn Vass, Eliza Ledbetter, Lily Becherer and Jaci Sanders all had multi-hit games. Black stole three bases including home. Garms stole two bases to lead the way for the Lady Wildcats, who swiped nine bases as a team. Makenlei Shafferkoetter pitched a seven-inning complete game, striking out three to earn the victory for Cuba. 

Cuba celebrated senior day on Oct. 9 after a matchup against St. Clair. Lady Wildcat seniors Black, Forrester, Garms, Saige Hanes and manager Zoey Jones were honored and escorted by their parents after the game. Cuba also provided gift bags for St. Clair seniors, showing great sportsmanship.

The game itself was a back-and-forth, 22-12 battle, where St. Clair came out on top. St. Clair scored seven runs in the first inning but the Lady Wildcats didn’t waver. Cuba came back and tied the game 8-8 in the fourth inning after scoring multiple runs in each of the first three innings.

The Lady Cats’ momentum was then stifled after they were called out at home plate and at first base on questionable calls from the umpires. St. Clair took advantage and scored five runs in the fifth inning and eight runs in the sixth inning to pull away.

The Lady Wildcats were led by its seniors throughout the game. Black had a senior night to remember with three hits, three stolen bases and four runs scored. Forester hit a triple, knocked in two runners, stole a base and scored three times. Hanes picked up a hit and walked twice and Garms had two runs batted in. Makenlei Shafferkoetter pitched all six innings for Cuba. 

The Lady Cats then had a quick turnaround and played a doubleheader the next day on Oct. 10 against Rolla in the FCNB Rolla Softball Invitational. Cuba lost the first game 22-1 and fell in the second game 15-0. Black recorded a hit in both games to lead the Lady Cats. Cuba then returned home that evening for homecoming festivities. Black won homecoming queen, capping off a week of senior night and coronation with a crown.

The Lady Cats then returned to the tournament on Oct. 11 and played another doubleheader against Sullivan and Nixa. The Wildcats fell to Sullivan 16-1 and lost to Nixa 16-0. All four games in the tournament ended after three innings. Forester picked up hits in each of Saturday’s games to lead the Lady Cats. Cuba then played its final regular season game on Oct. 13 against Newburg, which will be detailed in next week’s paper. The Lady Cats will then compete in Class 3 District 2 tournament play on Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. in Owensville against Sullivan.