March 29, 2024

Bats keep rolling in Council Bluffs

Creston softball tops Lewis Central 9-5

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COUNCIL BLUFFS – Creston softball took its second win in as many days Thursday, winning 9-5 over Lewis Central in a rain shortened doubleheader.

Lewis Central opened scoring in the bottom half of the first, plating a run after a walk was drawn by Megan Gittins.

Jerika Koopmeiners brought in Gittins to give LC an early advantage, but the lead was short lived.

The Panthers answered back quickly, scoring one in the top of the second on an RBI single from nine-hole hitter Halle Evans, driving in Brielle Baker.

The Panthers again responded in their half of the third inning on a leadoff walk from Saige Rice.

Rice was brought around to score on a Braelyn Baker single to give Creston the lead.

Creston opened it up in the fourth inning, scoring six runs on Lewis Central to take a commanding 8-1 lead. A two-run double from Gracie Hagle and a two-run single from Rice pushed Creston comfortably ahead.

Rice finished her night going 1-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs. Hagle went 2-5, scoring two with a double and a single.

Morgan Driskell swung a hot bat against Lewis Central, going 2-3 with two runs driven in.

“(We) did some good things, got them a little off with some bunts and slap situations where they didn’t have coverage set right,” said head coach Mike McCabe. “We took advantage of that a little bit. We just had some big timely hits too.”

As the starter, Hagle had no problem working with a big lead, pitching her way to a complete game. She threw a full seven innings while striking out three and walking eight.

After an explosive offensive output Wednesday against Southwest Valley, McCabe feels that the Panther lineup can be dangerous top to bottom.

“Our strength is that anybody in our lineup is capable,” said McCabe. “We get kids down in the seven, eight and nine spot getting two hits and RBIs. I like that. I think that helps us.”

McCabe hopes as the season gets into full swing, consistency in practice picks up and works its way into ball games as the season goes on.

UP NEXT – The Panther girls continue their string of road games to open the season, hitting the road again Tuesday to face Clarinda (0-1) at 7:30 p.m.

Creston 9, Lewis Central 5

R  H  E

Creston  011  610  0  —  9  14  1

LC  100  112  0  —  5  7  2

Creston: Gracie Hagle 7IP 8BB 3K. Lewis Central: Sierra Haddix 4IP 3BB 6K, Megan Gittins 3IP 1BB 3K. W — Hagle. L - Haddix. 2B — Creston: Morgan Driskell, Hagle. Lewis Central: Haley Beck. RBI — Creston: Peyton Rice (3), Morgan Driskell (2), Hagle (2), Braelyn Baker (1), Halle Evans (1). Lewis Central: Jerika Koopmeiners (1), Maddie Howard (1), Paige Rodewald (1), Megan Gittins (1), Beck (1). Mutliple hits – Creston: Rice (2), Hagle (2), Driskell (2), Evans (2), Sam Dunphy (2). Lewis Central – Gittins (2), Stacy Merksick (2), Maddie Howard (2).