MONTEZUMA – North Mahaska got the 2023 softball campaign off to a fine start Monday dominating South Iowa Cedar League foe Montezuma 14-2. Junior Regan Grewe had a strong night pitching and hitting accounting for five of the team’s runs.

Grewe hit two homeruns totaling more than 400 feet and drove in four runs. From the circle she allowed five hits. Struck out four and walked three in six innings.

She broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third inning with a solo shot, which began a five-run onslaught. NM took advantage of two Montezuma errors and a pair of walks capped by a single by Kylie Van Weelden. They also stole four bases in the inning.

In the fourth a two-out single by Olivia Ridgeway led to another score and NM held a 5-0 lead. Monte would score their first run in the fourth and another in the fifth before the Warhawk defense stopped the momentum.

“My teammates played well behind me, which made it easier,” said Grewe. “I hit the ball well and that was exciting.”

NM scored 14 runs on 12 hits and collected 11 RBI in the contest. They stole five bases and took advantage of five walks and seven errors.

NM coach Ashley Schroeder felt good about the team’s performance in the season opener. 

“I thought Regan pitched pretty well and found a groove,” said Schroeder. “The girls played good defense behind her, and we were able to steal bases.”

Ridgeway hit to singles and drove in two runs, Van Weelden hit two singles with an RBI and Jalayna Shipley hit to singles.

Kallie Robison took the loss for Montezuma allowing 14 runs on 11 hits, five walks and three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Leah Urfer tossed the 2/3 innings. Jordan

North Mahaska (1-0, 1-0) will head to Moravia for nonconference action Tuesday then hosts HLV Wednesday.