NM Teams Sweep Monte
NEW SHARON – North Mahaska’s baseball and softball teams swept Montezuma in New Sharon Thursday. The NM girls held off a seventh inning rally by the Bravettes to win 7-6 while the boys rolled 8-2.
Montezuma took the early lead scoring a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. A lead-off single then a one-out error and another single loaded the bases. Ellen Cook laid down a bunt and North Mahaska pitcher Jocelyn Pinkerton flipped the ball to catcher Kylie Van Weelden to strike down the run. A long single by Mya Smothers brought in two runs.
With one out in North Mahaska’s half of the third, Madeline Doonan reached base on a fielder’s choice and Kaylia Shipman singled. Lydia Howell followed with a double to deep centerfield to tie the game. Kayla Readshaw reached on an error and Howell scampered home for a 3-2 lead.
NM would add a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth for a 6-2 advantage. They added another run, that proved to be the deciding tally in the sixth.
Montezuma opened the seventh inning reaching base on three consecutive errors. After the first run crossed the plate Van Weelden took a throw from Doonan to erase a run attempt again. Another error led to the Bravettes with the tying run a base away. A ball hit to third base saw Doonan again making the throw and Van Weelden put the tag on for the out. Monte was still threatening when Regan Grewe came in to pitch and was able to force a pop-up to right fielder Addison Falb for the final out.
Montezuma (0-2) outhit the Warhawks 11-10. Howell led NM with a single, double and two RBI. Van Weelden had an RBI single, and Olivia Ridgeway hit two singles. Doonan, Shipman, Grewe, Readshaw and Cali Sampson each singled.
Smothers’ double and two RBI led Monte. Chloe Snook hit three singles while Vivian Cook and Izzy Roorda hit a double with an RBI.
Pinkerton picked up the victory for NM going 6 1/3 innings allowing six runs on five hits with five strikeouts and a hit batsman.
North Mahaska (1-1) had their game scheduled for Friday moved to Lynnville-Sully due to field conditions in New Sharon.
North Mahaska boys 8, Montezuma 2
Coming off a dramatic victory over HLV Wednesday, the Warhawks had an easier time against Montezuma. For the second night in a row North Mahaska took advantage of free passes and Brave errors to record their second win of the season. Montezuma issued 13 base on balls and hit a batter as NM rolled 8-2.
NM (2-1) scored a run in the bottom of the first inning and two each in the next two innings. Montezuma scored a pair of runs in the top of the third as NM led 5-2. The Warhawks would tally three in the fifth inning to seal the victory.
“Jack (Kelderman) pitched a nice game for us,” said coach Kevin Kelderman. “He had a bad inning where he hit a couple guys and walked, but we played good defense behind him.”
Kelderman, who threw 10 pitches the night before at HLV, took 90 throws to seal his first win of the season while tossing a no-hitter. He struck out seven batters and yielded one hit. He walked two and hit three batters.
Lucas Nunnikhoven, Dane VanMersbergen and Carter Lake each singled for the Warhawks. Nate Sampson had the lone team’s RBI.
Isaac Wedgewood went three innings to take the loss for the Braves. He walked five, hit a batter and struck out three.
