SOLON — Brad Holub hit a career milestone Wednesday May 31 as the Lady Spartans delivered his 100th win. Holub, in his second year leading the Solon program, also notched numbers 101 and 102 last week with a pair of wins over Vinton-Shellsburg and a non-conference win over Fairfield in Iowa City West High’s Softball Classic.
“We are off to a solid start at 6-3 and feel like we have taken huge strides since last year! The positive is we can still improve a lot, so the sky’s the limit!” said Coach Holub.
Solon sweeps Vinton-Shellsburg 8-2, 10-5
An RBI single by Maddyn Gates in the bottom of the second inning gave Solon a 1-0 game one lead. Kendall Jensen, Gates, and Kayla Meseck drove in four more runs in the third to make it 5-0. Clare LaDage smacked a single and made it all the way to third base while bringing in Bailey Woolley in the fourth and was brought home by Mia Stahle for a 7-0 lead. The Vikettes plated one run in the top of the sixth, but Hilary Wilson tripled in the bottom of the inning and came home on a Miller single making it 8-1. The Vikettes threatened in the top of the seventh, but only scored one run for the final.
Miller and Woolley led at the plate with three hits each with two doubles for Miller. Wilson had two hits with one each by Meseck, Jensen, Gates, and Stahle. Gates drove in three runs with one RBI apiece for Meseck, Miller, Jensen, LaDage, and Stahle.
Jensen took the win after three innings in the circle giving up one hit and no runs. She walked two and sat down four. Izzy Frees finished the game giving up two hits and two runs (one earned), walking one and striking out five.
Solon plated four runners in the bottom of the second in the night cap for a 4-0 lead before the Vikettes scored two in the top of the third. The Lady Spartans answered with a six-run barrage in the bottom of the inning for a 10-2 advantage. The Vikettes put three across the plate in the fifth.
It was one hit each for Meseck, Wilson, Miller (a double), Jensen, Kassidy Lietz, Frees, and Stahle with three RBIs for Lietz, and one apiece from Meseck, Jensen, Frees, and Stahle. Gates went the distance in the circle giving up six hits and five runs (one earned), walking four, and striking out five.
The 100th and 101st wins for Coach Holub improved Solon’s record to 5-2 overall.
“I really hadn’t thought about it up to that point (100 wins),” the coach said. “I was quite surprised when the team had the posters between games! I was honestly at a loss for words, which doesn’t happen often!”
Solon 7 Fairfield 1
It was Spartans vs. Trojans as Solon competed in Iowa City West High’s tournament Friday, June 2 at the University of Iowa’s Softball Complex.
Fairfield struck first with their solitary run coming in the top of the first inning. After that it was all Solon with one run in the bottom half, two in the second, one in the third, and three in the fourth.
Kendall Jensen had two hits (one double) with one apiece from Hilary Wilson, and Maddyn Gates. Jensen drove in two runs with one RBI apiece by McKenna Rogers, Gates, and Izzy Frees. Jensen pitched all five innings giving up five hits and one earned run. She walked one and struck out five.
“We showed good discipline at the plate and took what they gave us,” said the Coach. “We capitalized on some walks and we got good pitching from Kendall and some good defense. Kendall pitched five strong innings.”
North Scott 8, Solon 3
The Lady Lancers scored four runs in the top of the first, added one run each in the second and third innings, and scored twice in the fifth. Solon answered with one run in the bottom of the first and two in the fourth in their second game of the West High tourney.
It was two hits apiece for Mia Stahle, Hilary Wilson, and Addie Miller with two homeruns and three RBIs for Miller. Maddyn Gates pitched all five innings giving up eight hits and eight runs (two earned) while striking out five.
“We kind of got caught on our heels. They are a very good club and we proceeded to have four errors in the first inning that gave them four unearned runs. You can’t do that against a good team, and they took advantage. After we gave them four in the first, it was a pretty good game.
Addie Miller and Maddyn Gates were our bright spots with Maddyn pitching the best game of her young career. Addie had a great day at the plate going 2 for 3 with two home runs, accounting for all the RBIs!”
Upcoming schedule
Friday, June 9 – At Wilton High School. 5:00 p.m.
Monday, June 12 – Varsity doubleheader at Williamsburg. 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 14 – Home vs. Regina Catholic. 7:00 p.m. (Level 2 plays at 5:00 p.m.)
WaMaC East standings
Conf. Overall
Marion 4-0 6-5
Solon 5-1 6-3
Mount Vernon 3-1 6-1
Independence 0-6 3-10
West Delaware 0-4 0-7
The Lady Spartans surprised Coach Brad Holub with signs celebrating his 100th win Wednesday, May 31.