(Atlantic) Three timely hits in the bottom of the sixth inning sparked Atlantic to a 4-2 win in a Hawkeye Ten Conference Softball game at Atlantic on Tuesday.
Stevie Wilmes led off the game with a single in the top of the first and came around to score on a throwing error, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. The Trojans responded in the bottom of the second, stringing together three hits to take the lead. Dylin Ball singled, and Peyton McLaren had a single and an RBI. Jillian Saathoff scored the second run with an RBI groundout to give Atlantic a 2-1 advantage. Clarinda pulled even in the top of the fifth, as Mallory Woods singled and Rylee Maher followed with a two-run double to tie the game at 2-2.
With the game tied heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Trojans broke through with a two-run rally. Dylin Ball sparked the inning with a one-out single, followed by Lila Wiederstein reaching on an error. McKenna Sonntag then delivered an RBI single to give Atlantic the lead. Peyton McLaren added insurance with a double to the gap, scoring Sonntag from first to make it 4-2.
McLaren returned to the circle in the top of the seventh and shut the door, facing four batters and retiring the final three Clarinda batters. The sophomore tossed a complete game for Atlantic, going seven innings while allowing two runs—only one earned—on six hits. She struck out five and didn’t issue a walk. McLaren also made her mark at the plate with a single, a double, and two RBI.
Dylin Ball had a strong night, going 2-for-3, while Makenna Schroeder, Reese Ball, and McKenna Sonntag each added a single for the Trojans.
Clarinda was led offensively by Stevie Wilmes and Ellie Nelson, who each collected two hits. Rylee Maher hit a single, and Mallory Woods added a double for the Cardinals.
With the win, Atlantic improves to 14-8 on the season. Clarinda drops to 14-6. The two teams are set for a rematch on Tuesday, June 24, in Clarinda.
