Offensive struggles plague Baxter softball in pair of losses

RICEVILLE — Morgan Hansen had the only hit, and Riceville used a fast start to down the Bolts on Monday.

The hosts plated three runs in the first and third innings to grab momentum and never looked back during a 9-0 triumph in Iowa Star Conference play.

Hansen added two steals to her one hit and Karlee Koehler and Emie Tuhn both walked once. Lydia Pierce swiped one base.

Pierce took the loss in the circle after allowing nine runs — eight earned — on 11 hits in six innings. She struck out three and walked two.

The Wildcats (17-6, 8-3) out-hit Baxter 11-1, and the Bolts were plagued by four errors.

Samantha Wilberding led Riceville with two hits and two RBIs and Zoey Johnson tallied two hits.

Morgan Fair (9-6) struck out nine and allowed one hit in five innings in the circle. The Bolts struck out 12 times in all.

Madrid 9, Baxter 1

MADRID — The Bolts scored first, but their run in the opening frame was the only run they could muster during a 9-1 road loss to Madrid on Wednesday.

Baxter was out-hit 11-3 and the Bolts had more errors (5) than hits in the loss.

The game was tied at 1-all after two and Madrid plated one in the third to go in front for good and then scored seven in the sixth to put away their visitors.

Pierce doubled and scored the team’s lone run, Tuhn had one hit and one RBI and Klaire Shanks collected one hit. Evelyn Boothroyd walked once.

Pierce took the loss in the circle. She allowed nine runs — seven earned — on eight hits in six innings and struck out two and walked three.

Alleah Utterback led Madrid (4-14) with three hits and two runs and Claire Knudsen chipped in two hits, two runs and three RBIs.

Brooklyn Murry (4-10) allowed three hits in the circle and struck out five and walked one in seven innings.