Statistics show that a run is much more likely when the first batter of an inning gets on base.

Unfortunately for Gothenburg, that scenario played out twice in a 2-1 Swede loss to North Platte Sept. 27.

The first instance came when four Gothenburg players converged on a pop fly just behind second base. The ball bounced off center fielder Siera Schwanz’s glove to leave North Platte’s Ashten Hernandez safe at first.

Improving communication was the learning topic following the play, according to coach Roger Neujahr.

Shortstop Hanna Wolf was probably closest to the ball, he said, and didn’t hear anyone call for it.

“Siera said it bothered her a little that Hanna was coming,” the coach said.

“That’s why we have to talk. That’s why the center fielder has priority. Those are little things you live and learn.”

The error was compounded later in the inning when a two-out throwing error allowed the run to score.

Gothenburg answered with a solo run on the bottom of the inning. Wolf walked with two outs and then stole second before racing home on a double by Kyndal Holmes.

A leadoff walk to North Platte’s Rachel Kosmacek was costly in the third inning. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second and she scored on one of the Bulldog’s two singles for the game.

Gothenburg had a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the third, but runners were stranded at third and first.

“We had our chances and we just didn’t do it,” Neujahr said.

Except for a single in the seventh inning, the Swedes went down in order the final three innings.

JV’s LOSE FINALE

Gothenburg’s reserves lost their final game of the season, 14-5, to North Platte. The Swedes found themselves deep in a hole following the first inning, 10-0. The Swedes scored five runs in the third inning with RBI singles coming from Carlin Daharsh and Taylor Wolf.