Oskaloosa Runs Winning Streak to Nine Before Two Losses

Oskaloosa freshman Meghan Moorman with the hit against Pella Christian on Thursday evening.

by Wade Steinlage

The Oskaloosa Indian softball team is beginning to warm up as it enters its final games of the regular season.

Oskaloosa (22-9, 10-8 LHC) opened the week by easily defeating three foes at the Indian Classic two Saturdays ago. OHS beat Bondurant-Farrar 11-3, Creston 16-3 (four innings), and PCM 13-3 (five innings).

The team re-entered Little Hawkeye Conference play Monday by defeating Dallas Center-Grimes 8-1. The Indians then swept Newton Wednesday, 7-4 and 4-3. On Thursday, the Indians split a twinbill with Class 2A #8 Pella Christian, winning 5-3 and losing 2-1. The week concluded with a 3-0 setback to Norwalk Friday.

Oskaloosa 11, Bondurant-Farrar 3

OHS entered the Classic having lost five of its last nine games, but rolled over its competition to the tune of 40 runs on 39 hits. The squad won the Bondurant-Farrar battle with a 15-4 edge in hits.

Oskaloosa put three runs on the board in the first, while another three were tallied in the third. The maroon and white put the contest away with a five-run seventh inning.

Aubrey Miller and Taylor Wills both tallied three hits, while Ava Vande Wall, Meghan Moorman, and Maddie Haines all contributed two base knocks apiece. Miller and Wills finished with a game-high three runs each, and Haines also touched home plate twice. Haines, who hit a home run, guided all Indian players with a trio of RBIs, while Wills and Moorman both drove in two runs.

Alexis Groet went the distance, striking out eight and walking two. Just two of the runs against her were earned.

Oskaloosa 16, Creston 3

The Indians again scored early and often, getting one in the first followed by a huge seven-run second frame. The fourth inning was their biggest, though, as they managed eight runs to finish the mercy-rule victory.

An 11-4 advantage in hits was recorded with Vande Wall pacing the crew with three hits. She scored three times and also posted three RBIs. Miller had two hits (two runs and two RBIs as well), while Devan Welch also finished with a pair of base knocks. Moorman came off the bench and produced a two-run double, while Haines drew two walks in the win.

Hayle Hacker had little issues with the Creston lineup, striking out five, while walking two. The Oskaloosa defense permitted two unearned runs.

Oskaloosa 13, PCM 3

OHS concluded the day of offense with 13 more runs, highlighted by three frames with four runs each.

Vande Wall, Wills, Moorman, Haines, and Josie Bunnell all posted two hits as part of a 13-3 margin for Oskaloosa. Bunnell rounded the pads three times, while Vande Wall, Miller, and Kaylee Johnson all did so on two occasions. The quartet of VandeWall, Miller, Wills, and Moorman all drove in two runs, but it was Haines who topped the group with three RBIs.

Groet slowed PCM with seven strikeouts and two walks in five innings of work.

Oskaloosa 8, Dallas Center-Grimes 1

The Indians avenged a pair of earlier-season setbacks to the Fillies with a convincing home victory. DC-G was the first to get on the board with a run in top half of the first, but Oskaloosa did not flinch and took the lead right back with two in the bottom half.

The advantage was extended with a two-run second inning and then it was blown wide open with a three spot in the fourth. One final run was contributed for good measure in the sixth.

Anna Jones found the most hitting success with three of OHS’ seven hits. Bunnell, who walked twice, scored three times, while Vande Wall went around twice. Miller joined Bunnell in the two-walk club.

That offense was more than enough for Groet, who struck out nine in a four-hit complete game.

Oskaloosa 7, Newton 4

It was the same story for Oskaloosa as it again fell behind early against the Cardinals. Newton plated two in the first, but the host Indians took the lead with three in the third. The visitors then recaptured the edge with a two-run top of the fifth. Fortunately, OHS had another answer up its sleeve, scoring four runs in the bottom half to stay on top for good.

Welch guided her team with two hits (Oskaloosa outhit Newton 8-6), while Miller managed three RBIs and Ashley Kindley drove in two more.

Groet had a big strikeout outing with 15 against one walk.

Oskaloosa 4, Newton 3

Late-inning runs were posted in the nightcap as well. The Cardinals struck first with one run in the top of the first and doubled their tally with another in the fifth. Oskaloosa finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth with three runs and extended its margin with another in the sixth to make it 4-2. Newton was able to cut the deficit in half, but fortunately could not get the tying run across as OHS avenged a road loss from earlier this year.

The Indians were outhit 9-7 with Vande Wall producing two base knocks; she also managed two RBIs. Haines pounded a solo home run as well.

Groet slowed down in the second contest, but still finished with seven strikeouts (two walks).

Oskaloosa 5, Pella Christian 3

Oskaloosa was looking for a sweep to make up ground in the league standings, but was in danger of dropping the opener, trailing 3-0 after five frames.

The Indians responded big late, though, scoring all five of their runs in the sixth inning. OHS won the hits battle 8-7 with Moorman leading the charge with two hits.

Hacker kept the Eagles at bay, finishing with three strikeouts and one walk in six innings. Groet earned the save with two strikeouts in the seventh inning.

Pella Christian 2, Oskaloosa 1

The rally train finally came to a halt in the second matchup as Oskaloosa was unable to secure the sweep. PC scored once in the first and once more in the third. OHS managed to get within one in its final at-bat in the seventh, but could not tie the battle.

Each side produced six hits as Miller and Haines topped Oskaloosa with two each. Groet was good for 11 strikeouts (three walks) in the setback.

Norwalk 3, Oskaloosa 0

The team’s strong week was clouded over at the end with its shutout loss to the Warriors. The Indians owned a 7-2 edge in hits, but failed to bring anyone around. Norwalk scored all of its runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Bunnell and Wills both managed two base knocks. Groet finished with eight strikeouts against four walks.

Next Up: Oskaloosa travels to Pella Monday to face the Dutch in an LHC doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m.