The Oskaloosa softball team has continued their hot start to the season. The Indians swept Washington in non-conference play Tuesday by scores of 6-3 and 9-0.

In the first game, Kylee Silliman pitched well, allowing only five hits and three runs while striking out 15 and only walking one.

She got plenty of offensive support from her teammates, as Alexis Westercamp and Devan Welch would hit solo home runs. Anna Jones went 3 for 4 and Silliman helped herself out with a 2 for 4 night with 2 RBI.

In the second game, Alexis Groet continued her recent roll, as she struck out 13 batters and walked only one in a two-hit shutout.

Offensively, the Indians again came through in the 9-0 blowout. Westercamp would lead the way with three hits and 2 RBI, but Devan Welch again had the big blow. She hit another solo home run, her second of the night and third in as many games (she hit a homer against Grinnell on Monday).

Ashley Kindley, Josie Bunnell, Anna Jones, Kylee Silliman, Aubrey Miller, and Alexis Vroegh would all record a hit in the game as well.

Oskaloosa softball is now 9-1 on the season to match the baseball team, and they have a huge test at home Wednesday night. The three-time defending state champions in Class 4A Dallas Center-Grimes will be coming to town for a single varsity game. Dallas Center-Grimes not only has won the last three state titles in Class 4A, but they are also currently ranked #1 in the state according to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

You can hear that varsity game live on 99.5 FM/740 AM KMZN, the KMZN mobile app, and radiokmzn.com. The first pitch is following the JV game around 7:30 PM. The pregame show will be around 7:15 PM on KMZN. The JV game begins around 6 PM for the girls in what should be a fun and busy night at the Oskaloosa Baseball and Softball Complex.

The Oskaloosa baseball team was at it again Tuesday night, getting a run-rule victory in five innings over Mount Pleasant, 10-0.

The offense continued to rake for the Indians, as eight of the nine spots in the order recorded hits. Four runs were scored right off the bat in the first inning for Osky and six more were added in an impressive rally in the third. The defense would do the rest behind Tucker Nunnikhoven.

Nunnikhoven drew the start, looking to give Oskaloosa their sixth straight outstanding pitching performance in as many games on the road, and he delivered. He pitched all five innings in the game, and although he struck out only two and walked four, he allowed only one hit and no runs. He also started the game-ending 1-6-3 double play.

Nunnikhoven followed Seth Sarver, Nick Harrington, Bennett Spry, Rian Yates, and Joe Sterner as Indian pitchers who threw at least 5 innings and allowed less than two runs. In the current six-game winning streak, Oskaloosa has outscored their opposition 48-11.

The Indians are now 9-1 on the year and 3-0 in Little Hawkeye Conference play. They will look to improve both of those records as they have a stiff test on Wednesday night against Dallas Center-Grimes at home. DCG came into the season ranked #5 in Class 3A and one of the top contenders along with Osky and Pella in the LHC. The doubleheader begins at the Oskaloosa High School field beginning at 5:30 PM Wednesday night.

The Oskaloosa baseball team continued their hot start to the season with a 4-0 shutout win over Grinnell in Little Hawkeye Conference action on Monday night.

Oskaloosa got a great start from senior right-hander Joe Sterner, who pitched all but the final out due to a pitch count. He allowed just two hits, no runs, and struck out four with three walks. He had thrown 94 pitches. Nick Harrington struck out the last batter of the game to complete the shutout.

Offensively, Oskaloosa got multi-hit games from Ethan Arnold and Peyton Crouse. Their damage was done early with the help of a successful sacrifice that turned into an error by Tucker Nunnikhoven, and then two bunt hits by Alex DeJong and Bennett Spry. Spry’s bunt doubled as a suicide squeeze that scored the second run of the game.

The Nunnikhoven bunt was fielded and thrown over the first baseman’s head, allowing Keaton DeKock (who reached on a walk), to score all the way from first.

Osky would tack on a couple of runs in the fourth and fifth and hold on for the win.

Oskaloosa is now 8-1 on the season and will be looking to continue their roll on the road against Mount Pleasant Tuesday night. You can hear that game on 99.5 FM/740 AM KMZN, the KMZN mobile app, and radiokmzn.com. Game time starting at 7:30, the pregame will start on the air at 7:15.

Ottumwa’s Dan Staggs is the 2016 tennis recipient of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s Golden Plaque of Distinction Award. Staggs was presented his award at the 2016 State Tennis Tournament.

The IGHSAU’s Golden Plaque of Distinction Award honors the Iowa coach who has demonstrated a successful career while making notable contributions towards their school, community and coaching profession.

Staggs came to Ottumwa in the summer of 1958. He started the boys high school tennis team in 1964 and the girls in 1965. He also started a summer tennis program. Interest in tennis grew and eventually the community built 10 additional public courts, turned a parking lot into five summer courts, and built four courts at the Ottumwa Country Club. He has coached continually for 55 years, currently as a volunteer.

Staggs has had teams finish as high as second, qualified more than 50 teams for state, coaching a state champion in singles and co-ed doubles state champion.   He was selected to the Iowa Tennis Hall of Fame in 1982 and served stints on the IGHSAU and IHSAA Tennis Advisory Committees. In 2005 he was one of eight coaches selected for the National Coach of the Year. Staggs has had 47 players play at the collegiate level and had 697 wins in his career.  The City of Ottumwa named six courts after him in 2006.

The Oskaloosa baseball team was in action Thursday night against Centerville in a high-scoring affair as heard on the Mahaska Zone Network. The Indians would have a big offensive outburst late to take the win, 17-8.

Osky would try to keep their top arms fresh for Friday’s conference doubleheader against Pella Christian, and that required Alex DeJong to get the start on the mound. DeJong had some struggles, allowing four runs in one inning of work. Tucker Nunnikhoven would come on and allow three runs in the second inning in relief.

Luckily for Oskaloosa, even though they had allowed 7 runs in the first two innings, the offense was clicking. Osky had 8 runs of their own in those two innings, so when Head Coach Clint Gingerich called upon sophomore Nick Harrington to pitch starting in the third inning, the Indians had a one run lead.

Harrington would not disappoint, pitching the last five innings of the game, allowing only two hits and one unearned run. He struck out six and walked only two. The performance was exactly what the Indians needed if they were to save their top arms for the Pella Christian doubleheader. Osky’s offense would tack on nine more runs over the last three innings to give Harrington plenty of wiggle room.

Offensively, Osky would get plenty of production, as all nine spots in the lineup reached base. The major offensive stars for the Indians were Blake VanVeldhuizen and Bennett Spry.

VanVeldhuizen went 4 for 5 with four doubles, five RBI, and a run scored (Brandt Brown scored a run running for him in the 7^th). Spry helped set the table for the clean-up hitter, as he went 4 for 5 out of the #2 slot with three runs scored and two driven in.

Oskaloosa is now 5-1 on the young season, and Centerville fell to 5-2.

Oskaloosa will face Pella Christian on the road Friday night in a doubleheader to kick off Little Hawkeye Conference play. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:30 PM. You can hear the broadcast on 99.5 FM/740 AM, the KMZN mobile app, and radiokmzn.com beginning around 5:15.

The Oskaloosa Girls’ Soccer team has made a lot of history this year and was looking to check one more thing off the list Tuesday night against Clear Creek-Amana. As the storm clouds came rolling in to Tiffin, the season unfortunately came to a halt with a defeat against #13th ranked Clear Creek-Amana with the final score of 2-1.

Clear Creek-Amana got off to a fast start with a goal just 45 seconds into the game which put the Indians on their heels for a few minutes.  After getting settled in, the Indians would go on to dominate a lot of the first half and scored the equalizer by freshman Aleeya Cheney putting in a cross from senior Jackie Reif.  The score would remain tied 1-1 going into half.

The score would remain the same for the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half until, Clear Creek-Amana was able to get the go-ahead goal.  The Indians had several chances in tying up the game, but unfortunately nothing bounced their way.  The loss ends the high school careers of Jackie Reif, Taylor Seaton, Andie Reif, and Sandra Blom.

“These four girls played their hearts out last night trying to get one more game,” said Head Coach Jodi Steinlage. “They have done a lot for this season and this program and we are going to miss them.  However, they can be proud in what they have accomplished at Oskaloosa High School.”

“We are very proud of the girls and this season,” Steinlage continued. “With a new coach, it can be hard when they just come in and change things up, but the girls were up to the challenge. We have a lot to be excited about in the coming years for the girls’ soccer program.  The future is bright.”

Some season highlights for the Indians include the team having the lowest goals allowed with only allowing 17 goals in 17 games giving the lowest goals against average ever with 1.0 goals a game.  6 of their 7 losses came to ranked teams with 6 of those teams playing in the regional finals to go to state.

The Indians scores the most goals in a season with 64, recorded the most wins and the first ever double digit winning season.

At 6:00 p.m. a few dark clouds started to roll in above the Lacey Recreation Complex on Tuesday evening. After about 15 minutes, Little League players were catching rain drops in addition to baseballs and softballs, but that didn’t stop the fun. Fans from Pella, Bussey and Oskaloosa could be found under umbrellas, blankets and at the picnic tables under the large canopies cheering on their youth. Kandis Klyn, MCRF Activities Manager, stated, “MCRF’s mission is to facilitate and promote recreation in the Mahaska community so it is always great to see encouraging parents, grandparents and friends supporting the next generation at the complex.” For more pictures of Tuesday night Little League games check out www.facebook.com/mcrf.laceyrecreation and don’t forget to “like” our page.

School is out and summer camps have already started! Osky Soccer Camp kicked off on Wednesday and will run through Friday at the Lacey Recreation Complex. Campers, ranging in age from 4-13, are focusing on the basics and foundations of the game. The coaches are teaching on physical, technical, tactical and physiological aspects of the game through exercises, mini games and scrimmages, but of course the primary focus is to have fun while learning. Pictures from the camp can be found at www.facebook.com/mcrf.laceyrecreation.

The Oskaloosa baseball team was back in action Wednesday night in a single varsity game against Knoxville, which you heard on 99.5 FM/740 AM KMZN, the KMZN mobile app, and radiokmzn.com. This was the third meeting of the year between the two teams already, and the Indians completed the clean sweep with a 4-1 victory on the road.

Seth Sarver got the start on the mound for Osky and he did not disappoint. The junior threw strikes early and often and held the Panthers to just two hits and one unearned run in a complete game. He only threw 66 pitches in seven innings of work, 43 of which were strikes.

The offense got the job done in the early going, as the Indians plated two runs in the first and third innings off of Knoxville starter Rylan Cox. Peyton Crouse had a two-run single with two outs in the first to get the scoring started, and Joe Sterner had a clutch two-out, two-run ground-rule double to get Oskaloosa to that four run mark. The defense would do the rest in support of Sarver.

The only inning Knoxville scored was in the fifth, as Trent Davis hit a two-out double to get on base. Following a couple of bobbled balls ruled errors, Davis would score, but that was all the Panther order could muster against Sarver.

Oskaloosa is now 4-1 on the young season, while Knoxville is 2-5.

The Indians will be back in action Thursday night as they go on the road to take on Centerville in a single varsity game. The action will begin around 7:30 PM, and you can hear the broadcast on 99.5 FM/740 AM KMZN, the KMZN mobile app, and radiokmzn.com. The pregame show will begin around 7:15.

Gulf Shores, Ala.–Derek Seddon (Jr., Knoxville, Iowa, Physical Education) won his third All-America award by posting the best effort ever in his top event as William Penn fared well at the NAIA Track and Field Outdoor National Championships Thursday through Saturday.

Seddon launched the discus a school-record distance of 188-1.75 to place second.  Jacob Armbrust of Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) unfortunately held him off with a mark of 194-1; both individuals had their best throws in the opening round.

For the junior, it is his second time placing in the discus, also doing so last spring (shot put All-American in the indoor season as well).  He is the 14th All-American in William Penn men’s track and field history.

It also keeps the school’s streak of national championships with an All-American intact, stretching it to four in a row.  WPU has now claimed nine All-American honors since the 2013 indoor campaign.

Seddon’s effort helped the Statesmen to a tie for 37th place with eight points, while Indiana Tech easily won the team crown with 86 points.  Concordia (Neb.) slipped past Indiana Tech for the women’s title by five points, finishing with 71.

Armbrust is a senior, so Seddon will enter the 2017 outdoor campaign as the top returning discus thrower in the NAIA.

Seddon unfortunately did not have as much success in his other two events, placing a respectable 14th in the hammer at 168-1.5; he failed to post a distance in the shot put with three consecutive fouls.

Kalob Gist (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Business Management) headlined WPU’s senior quartet as he finished 13th in the shot put with a personal best of 51-8.75.

CJ Watts (Sr., Rockville, Md., Physical Education) was also strong in the 400-meter dash, ending up 13th in the preliminaries in 48.67 seconds.  He just missed qualifying for the finals by .56 seconds.

Neiman Thompson (Sr., Rockville, Md., Physical Education) ran into some issues in his 400 prelim heat and finished 19th overall in 53.41 seconds.

Meaghan Foster (Sr., Centerville, Iowa, Physical Education) concluded her career with a nice effort in the shot put, placing 17th at 42-10.

Derek Robinson (So., Jenks, Okla., Communications), like Gist and Thompson, was making his nationals debut and finished 23rd in the discus at 147-0.

 Story provided by Wade Steinlage

The Osky Girls’ Soccer team started their run towards state with a dominating 10-0 victory against Washington in the 1st round of regionals.  The win moves Osky to 10-6 on the year and for the first time in history, recording double-digit wins on the season.

The Indians having already beat Washington 10-0 earlier in the year came out a little flat throughout the 1st half, but were still able to go into halftime with a 4-0 lead.  The first goal was scored unassisted by junior Leah VanMaanen, in the 2nd minute of play.  Freshman Emily Lunsford, would come off the bench and make her presence be known in a huge way with a hat trick in the first 40 minutes of play.  Two of Lunsford’s goals were unassisted with the 3rd one being assisted by fellow freshman Aleeya Cheney.

“We had a talk with them at halftime that we can’t just go through the motions,” said Head Coach Jodi Steinlage. “We are playing in our 16th game of the season and know exactly what needs to be done and how we need to do it.  We challenged them to do that in the 2nd half and that is what the girls did.”

The second half saw a lot more aggressiveness and ball movement which led to some very pretty soccer by the Indians.  Cheney would get the 5th goal of the game just 2 minutes into the 2nd half with an assist from junior Ashley Brockman.  Senior Taylor Seaton, would get the first goal of her hat trick just a minute later after a nice hustle play from junior Claire Feichtner, who chased a ball all the way down the sideline and put in a beautiful cross.  Senior Andie Reif would get the 7th goal of the game in the 54th minute off a cross from VanMaanen.  Seaton would get the next two goals in the 62nd and 63rd minutes with assists from senior Jackie Reif and Lunsford.  The game would come to an end in the 68th minute when sophomore Emily Grahek would slot a ball passed the defense for a final score of 10-0.

The defense didn’t see a lot of action but was able to keep everything at bay with senior goalkeeper Sandra Blom and junior goalkeeper Maycie Stanbro sharing the shutout.

“We were pleased with how the girls came out in the 2nd half and took care of business like we know how to,” said Steinlage. “One person who put forth a lot of effort in the game, but didn’t have any goals for herself was Jackie Reif.  She was making hustle play after hustle play and kept a lot of plays alive for us and because of her hustle others were able to benefit from it.  She put everything out there today.”

“We will have to come out with the same intensity, tenacity, and aggressiveness we had in the 2nd half from the very beginning next Tuesday if we want to move on in regional play,” Steinlage continued. “The girls’ team has never made it past the second round and if we come out and play like we know how to, we will be able to give Clear Creek-Amana a run for their money.”

The girls’ team would like to say thank you for all the support the community has given us throughout the season and we are looking to play soccer into June.

The next game is the regional semifinal and the Indians will be attempting to qualify for the regional final with a win over Clear Creek-Amana, who is 13-5 this season and is coming off of a first-round bye.

You can hear the broadcast on radiokmzn.com by clicking on the LIVE GAME CENTRAL button on the right side of the home page. The pregame show will begin around 5:45 with the first kick scheduled for 6 PM next Tuesday, May 31^st.