CONCEPTION JCT., Mo. — Northeast Nodaway dropped a battle to DeKalb to finish the season 8-5.

“I’m just going to cherish every moment because you never know when it’s going to be your last,” senior Mylee Wilmes said.

The first inning started slowly for Northeast Nodaway. Paizlee Norman hit a single, but after a strikeout, a bunt-out and a pop-out to end it.

DeKalb came out swinging with a double from Grace Downing and Rylie Burdette. Addilyn Thummel got a strikeout, but then three walks let DeKalb score two.

The second inning was just as slow, with the Bluejays getting struck out twice and then a groundout from Piper Gray.

DeKalb came out strong, getting another walk and a single from Kenzie Plugradt. Downing hit another single, but the Blue Jays took back control. Paizlee Norman went to the pitcher, getting a strikeout and then two ground outs to finish the inning.

The third inning was a fast one, with three batters up and three down for the Bluejays. The Tigers got struck out, a groundout and a popout. The score stayed at 5-0 for the Tigers.

Blair Nelson started the fourth inning with a double, but after a strikeout, a bunt and a groundout, she couldn’t score. DeKalb got two more runs on the board after a hit by pitch, a single and a bunt.

The fifth inning was still slow for the Bluejays, with no runs. After a single, another pitch hit a player, DeKalb only scored one by the end of the inning.

“We knew our situation, no matter how hard it got, we weren’t going to give up,” coach Payton Beason said. “This game was the definition of that.”

The sixth inning is where Northeast Nodaway started to fight back. Mylee Wilmes, Norman and Thummel all hit singles, and Nelson walked, scoring two runs. Their defense picked up as well, DeKalb went scoreless in the inning.

The Blue Jays battled one last time with Emma Vicker, Rylee Scadden, Wilmes and Nelson getting hits. Although they were only able to score three runs. The final score of the ballgame was 8-5.

Norman and Nelson ended the night with two hits, along with Scadden, Thummel, Wilmes and Vicker, all having one hit for Northeast Nodaway.

DeKalb advances to play fifth-seeded Stanberry.

“The young girls, they showed up. It’s gonna help us in the long run,” Beason said.