Fatima bounced back from a difficult loss to Helias with a 10-5 victory over Eugene Thursday as the Lady Comets continued preparing for the approaching district tournament.

Rylie Wieberg drove in four runs on two hits, including a two-run home run in the first inning and a two-run double in the fifth. Fatima collected 14 hits, with Kamryn Lee going 3-for-4 and Sadi Lehmen, Maci Wilbers, Wieberg, and Gracie Atkins adding two hits apiece.

Wieberg also earned the win in the circle, allowing five runs, three earned, on seven hits over six innings. She struck out eight and did not issue a walk. Ava Heckemeyer worked a scoreless seventh inning, allowing two hits and striking out one.

“We came back with a nice win over a good Eugene team,” said Coach Dan Campbell.

Fatima committed four errors in the victory, an area Campbell wants cleaned up before postseason play. “I feel we are playing fairly well,” Campbell said. “We need to tighten up the defense before districts.”

The Lady Comets were coming off a 10-0 loss to a strong Helias squad Wednesday. Fatima finished with six hits, including three by Heckemeyer and two by Atkins. Wilbers added the other hit.

Heckemeyer allowed six runs on six hits over five innings, while Wieberg worked the final two innings, allowing four runs, only one earned, on four hits.

Even with the lopsided final score, Campbell liked the way his team responded to the challenge. “Helias had a tremendous squad,” Campbell said. “Even though the score wasn’t close, I was proud of our girls for competing in that game. You get better playing good competition as long as you compete, and we did that.”

Earlier, Fatima was shut out 2-0 by North Callaway. Campbell said the Lady Comets had opportunities against a strong pitcher but were unable to produce the key hit when they needed it.

Fatima also hit the ball well against New Bloomfield on Senior Night, according to Campbell.

Attention now turns increasingly toward district play, where Campbell expects a difficult path with Linn and Iberia among the teams in the field.

“We will need to play well to advance,” Campbell said.

He has been encouraged by the way the Lady Comets have approached that challenge in practice.

“The girls are working hard,” Campbell said. “Very pleased with the effort and intensity lately in practice.”