March 29, 2024

Area softball

Murray 15, Diagonal 2

DIAGONAL — Murray finished its regular season with a 24-4 record here Friday thanks to a 15-2 win over Diagonal.

Madison Gonseth finished with three hits and drove in four runs, including a solo home run — her third of the year. Katie Otto hit a triple and drove in two runs. Deena Snyder, Chellsea Jones and Kayla Wookey each finished with one hit and one RBI.

Breianna Klein picked up the win, giving up three hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.

Emily Newton, Stormie Buchanan and Kasydi Klommhaus each finished with a hit for Diagonal.

Murray 10,

Twin Cedars 3

BUSSEY — After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, Murray rallied for a 10-3 win here Thursday, clinching the program’s 16th conference title in the past 35 years and its third straight Bluegrass Conference championship.

Deena Snyder finished with three hits, including a double, and three RBI. Chellsea Jones had two hits, including a double. Brandi Gilbert recorded two hits, including a triple, and drove in two runs. Madison Gonseth hit a home run and drove in two runs.

Murray finished 9-0 in the Bluegrass Conference.

Lenox 14,

Bedford 2

LENOX — Lenox cruised to a 14-2 win over Bedford here Thursday in game one of a varsity doubleheader.

Katie Dukes picked up the win in the circle, striking out three and walking two in four innings of work.

Aurora Arevalo finished 2-for-2 in the game with a double and four RBI. Jacy Stoaks, Megan Brown and Beth Christensen all had two hits.

Dukes and Brown each drove in two runs.

“Katie Dukes did well keeping the Bulldog batters off balance, allowing only three hits,” Lenox head coach Tom Shields said.

Lenox 11,

Bedford 4

LENOX — Lenox made it a sweep with an 11-4 win over Bedford in the nightcap on Thursday.

Katie Dukes picked up the win again, striking out four and walking three, before giving way to Beth Christensen in the circle. Christensen struck out two and walked one.

Offensively, Dukes finished 3-for-3 with a three-run home run. Emily Powell was 2-4 with a triple and one RBI. Aurora Arevalo was 3-4 with two RBI, while Christensen was 2-4 with two RBI. Shantelle Brown also drove in one run.

Lenox improved to 14-11 overall and 9-6 in the Pride of Iowa Conference with the win.

East Union 6,

SW Valley 0

AFTON — Danielle Riley pitched a two-hitter and struck out eight here Thursday, as East Union won the first game of a varsity doubleheader over Southwest Valley, 6-0.

Offensively, Riley had two hits in the game. Kayle Dudney also added two hits.

Ashtyn Grossnickle and Shelby Nelson each had one hit for Southwest Valley.

Kylie McBride took the loss, giving up three earned runs on three hits with two walks and one strikeout.

East Union 5,

SW Valley 4

AFTON — East Union came from behind to post a 5-4 win over Southwest Valley in the second game of the doubleheader.

Danielle Riley drove in the tying run in the fifth inning and then Courtney Phelps drove in the winning run, as East Union scored four runs in the fifth inning.

Riley struck out seven and walked three in the win. Emily Eckels and Chay Blondowksi each had two hits in the game. Eckels hit two doubles and drove in two runs.

For Southwest Valley, Danica Sunderman hit a three-run home run, while Lexi Bronner drove in one run.

Kiara Roberts took the loss for the Timberwolves.