Two more wins for MFL MarMac softball
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
The MFL MarMac softball team wrapped up its regular season last week, sweeping Central after doubleheader losses to North Fayette Valley.
The Bulldogs got on the board first in the opening game of the June 30 twin bill, but North Fayette Valley scored five unanswered runs to win 5-1.
TigerHawk pitcher Alex Kent struck out nine Bulldogs and held the team to six hits, half of which came from Emme Wikner. The sophomore shortstop also stole a base and scored a run. Garnett Niedziejko had an RBI-single, while Khloe Schutte and Autumn Shaw both picked up hits.
Hailey Bouzek and Lauryn Sandstrom split time on the mound for MFL MarMac. Bouzek allowed four hits, two walks and four earned runs over three innings, while Sandstrom’s stat line included three hits, a walk and one earned run.
NFV brought a bigger offensive punch in game two, collecting 11 hits and five walks in a 10-2 victory. They scored three or more runs in each of the first three innings.
A Brooklyn Landt homerun provided a spark for the Bulldogs. Shaw, Niedziejko and Kacie Picha also had hits.
MFL MarMac got back in the win column on July 2, sweeping Central 13-4 and 14-3 in another twin bill. The Bulldogs amassed 15 hits in the opener, then reached base six more times on walks and Warrior errors. They were also tough to stop on the base paths, with six steals.
Leadoff hitter Picha was 3-4 with a walk, stolen base, team-high four RBIs and two runs scored. Niedziejko matched Picha’s three hits, stole a base and drove in two runs. Kytlee Warrington netted three RBIs on one hit and reached once on an error. She stole a base and scored a run. Wikner finished the game with two hits and an RBI.
Bouzek earned the victory, after allowing seven hits, one walk and a hit batter over six innings. Two of the four runs scored against her were earned. She struck out six batters.
MFL MarMac followed that up with another offensive outburst, this time tallying 10 hits and seven walks. The team had its second homerun of the week, thanks to Schutte, who also singled. She drove in five runs and scored once herself. Shaw was 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Niedziejko singled twice and scored twice. Wikner was on base three times with a single and two walks, stole a base and scored three runs. Landt finished the game with a hit and two walks, one stolen base, an RBI and two runs scored.
On the mound was eighth grader Gracyn Welch, who kept Central to five hits, two walks and three runs—two of them earned—in six innings. She earned two strikeouts.
The wins improved the Bulldogs to 7-25 overall. They finished seventh in the Upper Iowa Conference with a record of 5-11. Kee took the top spot after going 15-1, followed by South Winneshiek at 14-2.
MFL MarMac began Class 2A postseason play on July 7, against Postville. The winner advances to face Cascade on Wednesday, July 9.
