Slow start plagues Baxter softball in trio of conference losses

BAXTER — Jayden Peters spun a no-hitter in the circle and had four RBIs at the plate, and Collins-Maxwell continued its dominance against the Baxter softball team on June 20.

The Spartans used a pair of three-run innings to grab a lead and then scored seven runs in the third to end the night early during a 14-0 road win in Iowa Star Conference play.

Collins-Maxwell is 16-0 against the Bolts since 2018. The Spartans had six hits, eight steals and one error, while Baxter committed two errors.

Hannah Huffaker walked and stole one base and Lillian Grunstead reached on an error and stole one base to lead the Bolts’ offense.

The Spartans (10-6, 8-3 in the Iowa Star Conference) led 3-0 after one inning and 6-0 after two. Peters finished with two hits and four RBIs at the plate and struck out five while allowing no runs and no hits in the circle. Cypress Erickson also scored three runs and stole three bases.

Rockford 14, Baxter 3

ROCKFORD — Klaire Shanks had two hits and two RBIs, but the Bolts fell behind early and couldn’t recover during a 14-3 road loss to Rockford on June 18.

The Warriors led 3-0 after two and then scored seven runs in the second to make it 10-1. Baxter added two runs in the third, but Rockford ended the game early with a four-run fourth.

Shanks had Baxter’s only two hits and one of those was a double and she scored one run.

Grunstead was hit by a pitch and scored one run, Mallory Bottorff, Madison Jochems and Blaire Jutting all walked once and Emileigh Beals scored one run.

Avery Wonders took the loss in the circle after allowing 10 earned runs on seven hits, three walks and one hit batter in 2 2/3 innings. She fanned two.

Jutting got two outs but not before surrendering seven runs — three earned — on one hit and four walks with two strikeouts.

The game ended with one out in the bottom of the fourth. Rockford (6-10, 4-9) out-hit the Bolts 8-2, and the Bolts committed the game’s only error.

Briella Hinrichsen totaled three hits and five RBIs and Emma Pearson walked twice and scored three runs.

Riceville 16, Baxter 3

BAXTER — The Bolts scored first but gave up nine runs in the second inning and lost 16-3 in five innings to Class 1A No. 15 Riceville on June 16.

Baxter plated two of its three runs in the first inning but trailed 16-1 before scoring once in the fifth.

Beals, Bottorff and Shanks finished with two hits each to lead the Bolts.

Beals doubled twice, scored one run, had one RBI and stole one base, Bottorff scored one run and totaled one RBI and Shanks doubled.

Huffaker had one hit and was hit by one pitch, Caydence Sulzle registered one run, one RBI and one walk, Jutting walked once and Savannah Frasher stole one base.

Wonders started in the circle and took the loss after allowing nine runs — zero earned — on seven hits and one walk in 1 2/3 innings.

Jutting tossed the final 3 1/3 innings and allowed seven runs — four earned — on three hits and seven walks with one strikeout.

The Bolts had seven hits at the plate but were plagued by five errors.

Riceville (17-6, 10-3) was led by Shayla Greeley, who finished with two hits, two walks and two steals.

Moravia 13, Baxter 2

MONTEZUMA — The Bolts scored first but fell behind after the first inning and allowed a pair of four-run frames during a 13-2 loss to Moravia at the Bravette Classic hosted by Montezuma on June 21.

The Mohawks out-hit the Bolts 13-3, and Baxter committed three errors.

Grunstead doubled and had one RBI, Beals finished with one hit, one run and one RBI and Shanks had the other hit.

Jutting and Frasher each walked once, scored one run and stole one base.

Wonders took the pitching loss after allowing eight runs — six earned — on 12 hits, one walk and six hit batters. She struck out two in 3 2/3 innings.

Jochems got one out in the circle and surrendered four runs — two earned — on one hit and two walks.

Lyla Taplin led Moravia (6-20) with three hits and three RBIs and was the winning pitcher. Kenna Spencer totaled two hits and three runs, Natalie Main scored three runs and stole two bases and Breegan Ellison contributed three hits.