ANAMOSA — The Solon softball team picked up wins of 3-2 and 7-2 in Anamosa Friday, June 12, behind strong pitching performances from juniors Zoey Melloy and Emerson Miller.
Each threw complete games with Miller running her record to 5-3 and Melloy picking up her second win of the season.
“Our walks were down tonight, only three in 14 innings so that’s great,” Head Coach Brad Holub proclaimed. “Our defense has been really good, and Riya Farlinger caught both games. The strides she has made handling our pitching staff from last year is outstanding,” he added.
Solon jumped ahead in the top of the first when Kinley Strief (8th grade) bunted and took second on a bad throw. Junior Laeni Hinkle immediately put Solon up with an RBI single. A couple Solon outs brought up sophomore Beckitt Kabela who delivered an RBI single and a 2-0 Solon lead. The runs would become more important as Melloy dazzled allowing only a run on three hits and a walk through six innings, but Solon’s offense was also stifled.
Solon’s final at bat started with a walk from sophomore Beckett Kruse. Freshman Chloe Madura pinch ran and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, then stole third and scored when the throw went into left field. The run would prove huge as back to back doubles in the 7th pulled Anamosa within one run, 3-2. Melloy would secure the final two outs though and Solon would have a third straight win.
Stats
Hits – Kinley Strief 2, Laeni Hinkle 1, Beckitt Kabela 1, Dillon Ostrander 1, Zoey Melloy 1
2B – Ostrander 1
RBIs – Hinkle 1, Kabela 1
SAC – Strief 1, Ashtyn Swancutt 1
Pitching – Melloy (W), 86 pitches, 4 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), 1 walk, 1 strikeout
Miller came out strong in game two allowing only one run through four innings. Solon’s offense continued to run idle but tied the game in the third after Miller and Kabela each reached on two-out singles and Sophomore Liv Nelson’s line drive to right was dropped to tie the game at 1-1.
Solon took its first lead 2-1 in the 5th when senior Dillon Ostrander singled and scored on Kabela’s third hit of the night. Solon’s offense then came alive in the last two innings as Ashtyn Swancutt led off with her third hit and Hinkle, Ostrander, and Miller each rapped RBI knocks extending the lead to 5-1. The Lady Spartans added two in the 7th as well when Nelson singled and scored on an error. Madura then smoked an RBI double down the left field line to end the night’s scoring. Nine Solon batters had hits in the game with Ostrander adding three in the nightcap and four overall. Solon’s 4th straight win put them at 9-5 on the season.
Stats
Hits – Dillon Ostrander 3, Emerson Miller 2, Beckitt Kabela 2, Ashtyn Swancutt 2, Kinley Strief 1, Chloe Madura 1, Laeni Hinkle 1, Liv Nelson 1, Layla Knazze 1
2B – Madura 1
RBIs – Madura 1, Ostrander 1, Miller 1, Kabela 1, Nelson 1
Pitching – Miller (W), 106 pitches, 8 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts
Upcoming schedule
The Lady Spartans took on 3A top-ranked Williamsburg Monday June 15th and Grinnell Wednesday June 17 both in Solon. They travel to Roland-Story High School for the Kiwanis Club tournament Friday and Saturday. Featured games are against Clear Lake (14-1, 3A #13) and ADM (10-2, 4A #2) both Friday afternoon.
They play Gilbert and Humboldt on Saturday and return home Monday to play Benton at 5pm on Youth Softball Night. Solon youth players will be recognized prior to game 2.
WaMaC East standings
Conf. Overall
Mt. Vernon 8-0 15-1
W. Delaware 5-5 10-5
Solon 4-4 9-5
Marion 4-4 10-8
Independence 4-6 8-11
CPU 3-7 9-10