Baxter softball edges GMG, sweeps Colo-NESCO

BAXTER — A wild and crazy night on the diamond went in favor of Baxter’s softball team on Friday night.

The Bolts jumped out to an early lead only to need eight innings to dispatch GMG.

Baxter led 10-2 after three innings, but GMG scored eight in the fourth to go in front. A rally by the Bolts forced extra innings and Baxter downed GMG 15-14.

There were a combined 30 hits and 20 errors in the Iowa Star Conference South Division contest.

The Bolts (4-11 overall, 3-3 in conference play) were out-hit 18-12 and committed 13 errors but still found a way to win at home.

Lydia Pierce had four hits, one triple, three runs, two RBIs and three steals to lead the Bolts.

Every player in the Bolts’ lineup had at least one hit. Lilie Vansice, Ally Padget, Mandee Selover, Emie Tuhn, Klaire Shanks, Evelyn Boothroyd, Elie Tuhn and Allison Colyn all had one hit apiece.

Vansice registered one hit, two runs, three RBIs and one steal, Padget doubled, scored two runs and had one RBI and Boothroyd collected one hit, two runs and two RBIs.

Colyn doubled, scored one run and had one RBI, Elie Tuhn had one hit and two runs and Selover, Shanks and Emie Tuhn all had one hit and scored one run.

Kinley Bethards pitched all eight innings for the Bolts. She earned the win after allowing 14 runs — two earned — on 13 hits. She walked four and struck out one.

Adelyn Sienknecht tallied four hits and two RBIs at the plate and took the loss in the circle. She allowed 15 runs — five earned — on 10 hits and struck out four.

Kennadi Sederburg added four hits and three RBIs for the Wolverines (4-8).

Bolts sweep Colo-NESCO

MCCALLSBURG — Scoring runs hasn’t been too much of an issue for Baxter this summer. The Bolts are just struggling to slow down the other team.

Head softball coach Dan Tuhn said his pitching staff is working hard to get better, but more work is needed.

On June 13, the Bolts traveled to Colo-NESCO and returned home with an Iowa Star Conference South Division sweep. Baxter downed the Royals 15-6 and 19-18.

“I have never been part of a game like that. We almost had them 10-run ruled, too,” Coach Tuhn said of the 19-18 game. “They just found some spots both last night and tonight.”

In the 19-18 win, Baxter led 18-9 after five, but Colo-NESCO tied the game with a nine-run sixth. The Bolts added one in the bottom of the sixth to take back the lead, and the Royals did not score in the seventh.

Baxter was the home team for the marathon game as the doubleheader was a makeup from an early-season postponement.

The Bolts were out-hit 20-14, but Colo-NESCO committed 12 errors.

Pierce led Baxter with three hits, two doubles, four runs, two RBIs and one walk. Shanks had three hits, three runs and one RBI and Elie Tuhn collected two hits, one run and a career-high four RBIs.

Selover also had two hits and chipped in one triple, three runs and two steals.

Padget, Colyn, Holly Zahurones and Hannah Huffaker all had one hit. Padget scored one run, had one RBI, was hit by one pitch and stole one base and Colyn chipped in one run, two RBIs and one walk.

Zahurones doubled and had one RBI, Huffaker scored one run and had two RBIs and Vansice scored one run, had one RBI and stole one base. Karlee Koehler scored two runs, Boothroyd and Adison Bonney were plated once and Emie Tuhn tallied one RBI.

Shanks, Pierce and Bethards all pitched in the game.

Shanks tossed one inning and allowed five runs — one earned — on four hits with five walks.

Pierce got two outs and allowed five earned runs on three hits with two walks and one hit batter.

Bethards twirled 5 1/3 innings and surrendered eight runs — five earned — on 10 hits with two strikeouts and two walks.

The Bolts and Royals were tied at 1-all after three innings in the opener.

Colo-NESCO outscored Baxter 3-2 in the fourth to take a lead, but the Bolts rallied with one in the fifth, two in the sixth and nine in the seventh to pull away.

Baxter out-hit the Royals 14-8 and won the game despite committing four errors.

Twelve of the 14 hits came from Pierce, Vansice, Padget, Colyn and Shanks.

Pierce led the way with four hits, a homer, four runs, one RBI and one steal.

Vansice, Padget, Colyn and Shanks all registered two hits. Vansice added three runs, one walk and two steals, Padget chipped in two runs, two RBIs, one walk and one steal and Colyn doubled, scored one run and had three RBIs.

Shanks scored one run and had three RBIs, Selover tripled scored two runs and walked once, Elie Tuhn had one hit, one run and one RBI and Emie Tuhn chipped in two RBIs. Boothroyd was hit by a pitch and scored one run.

Pierce and Bethards split the seven innings in the circle.

Pierce started and got the win after tossing 3 1/3 innings. She allowed four runs — two earned — on two hits with three strikeouts, two walks and one hit batter.

Bethards tossed the final 3 2/3 innings and got the save after surrendering two runs — one earned — on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

Riceville 17, Baxter 7, 5 innings

BAXTER — Baxter couldn’t hold down its 3-1 lead early against Riceville on Tuesday.

The Wildcats plated four runs in the third, seven in the fourth and four in the fifth to win 17-7 and end the game after five frames.

“We are trying to figure things out. The pitchers are working hard and working through it,” Coach Tuhn said. “But we have to figure out how to get through games. We are scoring runs and our defense is getting better.

“We have really good glimpses with pitching. We just have to keep working through it. It’s a young group.”

Baxter scored three in the first and three in the fourth, but couldn’t prevent the 10-run mercy rule from going into effect.

Selover and Emie Tuhn had three hits apiece and six of the Bolts’ eight hits in all.

Selover added two runs, three RBIs and three steals and Emie Tuhn doubled twice, scored one run and had one RBI.

Vansice and Zahurones had the other hits. Vansice chipped in two runs, one RBI and one steal.

Colyn had one RBI and Elie Tuhn and Bonney each scored one run.

Shanks started in the circle and took the loss after allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits with one strikeout and three walks in three innings.

Zahurones tossed one inning and surrendered six earned runs on four hits with one strikeout, two walks and three hit batters.

Pierce pitched one inning and allowed one earned run on one hit with one walk.

Tillotti Fair had three hits, two runs and two RBIs for Riceville (13-8). Taylor McElroy added three hits and three runs.