Fatima followed its win over Linn with two very different defensive performances, shutting out Jefferson City 13-0 on Thursday before falling 11-4 to Hickman on Friday.

“Our offense and defense both came to play,” said Coach Dan Campbell of the Jefferson City victory. “Ava threw a nice game for us, and we were much better on defense.”

Ava Heckemeyer limited Jefferson City to four hits over five innings, striking out one and walking one as the Lady Comets played error-free softball behind her.

That defense included a play Campbell singled out afterward.

“Chloe Voss made a nice catch turning it into a double play, and we made several other nice plays defensively,” he added.

Fatima gave Heckemeyer plenty of offensive support, breaking the game open with seven runs in the third inning. The Lady Comets finished with 10 hits and drew 11 walks.

Marlee Oliver went 2-for-4 and drove in five runs, while Sadie Lehmen collected two hits and three RBI. Kamryn Lee added two hits and an RBI, and Emma Schwartze drove in two while drawing three walks.

Lehmen doubled during the seven-run third, driving in two, while Gracie Atkins singled home a run and Lee added another RBI. Fatima scored three times in the second, seven in the third, once in the fourth, and twice in the fifth.

The defensive picture changed Friday against Hickman.

“In the Hickman game, our defensive play was again erratic, and we didn’t muster much offensively against a very good thrower,” Campbell said.

Fatima grabbed the early advantage when Lehmen launched a solo home run in the first inning. After Hickman tied the game in the second, Maci Wilbers delivered an RBI single in the third to put the Lady Comets back in front, 2-1.

Hickman answered with two runs in the bottom of the third and steadily pulled away, scoring in each of the final four innings.

Fatima finished with eight hits but committed five errors.

Lehmen went 2-for-2 with a home run and triple, scored twice, and drove in one. Wilbers added two hits and two RBI, while Wieberg, Lee, Lucy Warren, and Oliver each had a hit.

Wieberg worked 4.1 innings, allowing eight hits and eight runs (four earned), while walking three. Carmen Luebbering pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing one hit and three unearned runs with one walk and one strikeout.

For Campbell, the contrast between the two games reinforced an area that remains central to Fatima’s development.

“When we play good defense, we can be as good as anyone,” he explained. “Unfortunately, it has been inconsistent.”

The Lady Comets continue to devote considerable practice time to that side of the game, with Campbell hoping the work will pay off as the season progresses.

“We focus on defense a lot in practice, so hopefully by district time, it will be a team strength,” he said.

Competition for starting positions also remains open as Fatima heads into another busy stretch.

“We still have some competition for starting spots going on as well, and that will continue this week with six games scheduled,” Campbell added.