Last night was the first night of the summer sports season, and there were several area teams in action.
In the first Mahaska Zone Network Softball Game of the Week on 104.9 FM KBOE, Montezuma defeated North Mahaska in New Sharon by a score of 9-6 in a hard fought battle of up-and-coming teams in the South Iowa Cedar League.
The first few innings were marked by great pitching from Warhawk starter Emma Deucore and Bravette starter Hanna Jones.
The North Mahaska bats would get going in the 4th inning, plating a couple of runs, but Jones and the defense for Monte would get out of a jam that could have extended that damage. That was a big development, because the Montezuma offense would explode for four runs in the 6th and 7th innings after scoring once in the 5th.
In the 6th, the big blow was a pinch-hit three-run homer from junior Alexis Maki that gave the Bravettes a 5-2 lead. In the 7th, Breck Goodman hit a big two-run double to help extend the advantage, as Monte took a 9-2 lead into the bottom of the 7th.
North Mahaska would not go quietly, however, as they would send nine batters to the plate and score four runs. Representing the tying run, junior Jensen Kelderman bounced out to second base to end the rally, and the game.
Montezuma got a great performance from Goodman, who was 2 for 4 with 2 runs and 3 RBI. North Mahaska freshman pitcher Emma Deucore had a strong outing with 11 strikeouts despite the loss, and was 2 for 4 with an RBI at the plate.
Monte is back in action on Wednesday against perennial powerhouse Lynnville-Sully at home. North Mahaska will play at home on Wednesday against BGM.
Our next Softball Game of the Week will be on Monday, June 6th, as Lynnville-Sully hosts Belle Plaine. Our first Baseball Game of the Week will be this Friday, as North Mahaska travels to face Lynnville-Sully.
You can hear all of the Game of the Week broadcasts on 104.9 FM KBOE, on the KBOE mobile app, and on kboeradio.com. The pregame show begins around 5:45.
