DYERSVILLE — The Solon Lady Spartans took to the road Wednesday, May 27, traveling to Beckman Catholic High School in Dyersville where they pushed their record to 3-0 on the season with a doubleheader sweep, 6-4 and 7-2.
The Spartans used a 5-run 5th inning to win game one 6-4 after trailing most of the game. Junior Emerson Miller battled her control early, and the heat throughout, but emerged as the winning pitcher to run her record to 2-0. Sophomore Beckitt Kabela entered in the sixth after Solon took the lead and promptly gave up a first pitch single but calmly shut down the next six Blazers on 14 pitches to close the game.
Solon scored a run in the first inning when freshman Chloe Madura ripped a single to left scoring junior Laeni Hinkle, who had walked. The Blazers countered with two runs in a 35-pitch first inning for Miller. The Blazers added a run in the third on a Bri Bush homer. They scored a final run on a pair of extra base hits in the fourth.
Sophomore Beckett Kruse brought the Solon dugout to life in the top of the fifth with a double to deep right center. Miller’s RBI single followed to close the gap to 4-2. A Beckman error added a run and sophomore Riya Farlinger’s sharp single tied the score 4-4. A Beckman throwing error added two more runs and the Spartans could see a win emerging after four innings of frustration. Miller got a timely double play in the fifth and Kabela secured the win with her first save.
Stats
Hits – Emerson Miller 1, Chloe Madura 1 (2B), Beckitt Kabela 1, Riya Farlinger 1 (2B), Dillon Ostrander 1, Beckett Kruse 1
RBI – Miller 1, Liv Nelson 1, Madura 1, Farlinger 1
Pitching – Miller (W) 5.0 innings, 92 pitches, six hits, four earned runs, five walks, two strikeouts. Kabela 2.0 innings, 15 pitches, one hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 0 strikeouts
Game two saw the Lady Spartans jump to another early lead when the Blazers committed a pair of errors and Madura made them pay with her first varsity homer, a three-run shot in the first inning. Junior Zoey Melloy took the mound for Solon and had a rough start allowing a walk and an RBI double but regained the momentum with three straight outs to end the inning with a 3-1 Solon lead.
In the second inning the Lady Spartans pounced again. Melloy walked and sophomore Liv Nelson smashed a 2-run homer off the Blazers scoreboard. After Melloy posted a scoreless second, sophomore Beckett Kruse ripped a long liner to the Blazers center fielder who looked poised to make the catch. After calling for the ball twice she reached up and had the ball skim off her glove and over the fence for Kruse’s first varsity homer giving Solon a 6-1 lead.
The Blazers immediately started a rally with a pair of hits in the third. However, senior center fielder Dillon Ostrander threw a strike to home gunning out Beckman’s lead runner. Melloy then retired the next two batters to post a clean third inning and posted another zero in the fourth. The Blazers again rallied in the fifth. A double, two singles and a walk scored a run and loaded the bases. Enter Hinkle who easily retired the next two Blazers to quell the threat.
Solon plated a run in the 7th when Hinkle reached on an error and later scored on a wild pitch making the score 7-2. Hinkle then tossed four pitches to secure the final three outs, and Solon had a doubleheader sweep. Melloy (1-0) took the win tossing 4 1/3 innings. Hinkle got the save throwing. 2 2/3. Beckman outhit the Spartans 8-5, but the Solon home runs and spectacular defense from super shortstop Nelson and graceful centerfielder Ostrander were too much to overcome.
Stats
Hits – Liv Nelson 1 (HR), Emerson Miller 1, Chloe Madura 1 (HR), Beckitt Kabela 1, Beckett Kruse 1
RBI – Madura 3, Nelson 2, Kruse 1
Pitching – Zoey Melloy (W) 4.1 innings, 70 pitches, six hits, two earned runs, three walks, two strikeouts. Laeni Hinkle 2.2 innings, 25 pitches, one hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, two strikeouts
Head Coach Brad Holub was impressed with contributions from so many players in the sweep.
“We had four different pitchers pick up wins or saves. We had three players hit their first varsity home runs and we showed a lot of fight and resilience. It was a good night for us,” Holub said.
Upcoming schedule
Thursday, June 4 – Varsity doubleheader vs. Alburnett, Alburnett Martin Complex, 5:00 p.m.
Monday, June 8 – HOME doubleheader vs. Marion, 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 10 – Varsity doubleheader vs. South Tama, 5:00 p.m.
Friday, June 12 – Varsity doubleheader vs. Anamosa, Anamosa Middle School, 5:00 p.m.
Monday, June 15 – HOME doubleheader vs. Williamsburg, 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 17 – HOME doubleheader vs. Grinnell, 5:00 p.m.