Panthers push winning streak to 13

Creston extended their winning streak to 13 games by run ruling Clarke, 14-4 in five innings Tuesday night.

The victory is Creston’s 23rd of the season and the 86th win for the senior class comprised of Anna Mikkelsen, Morgan Driskell, Halle Evans and Gracie Hagle.

“Good win on senior night,” Creston coach Mike McCabe said. “Not always has that happened, so we talked a little bit before hand about going out and do what we could to help those four go out on a winning note. I was happy for those kids and all four of them factored in there. It was good to have Anna back tonight.”

Clarke drops to 4-15 with the loss.

“I know she’s (Clarke coach Vanessa Bakley) had a tough year record wise,” McCabe said. “But they’ve got some good kids, they’re very athletic and they’re going to be OK.”

Some members of Creston’s softball little league got to escort the Panther’s starting lineup out onto the field.

The Panthers narrowly out hit the Indians, 8-7, in the win.

Ali Henry opened the game with a single, but the following three batters for Clarke either grounded out or flew out.

Jersey Foote opened her bookended box score performance when she stole home on a wild pitch by Presley Vanwinkle.

Clarke’s batters Allena Fry, Alivia Bakley and Jasmin Walrad went three up three down in the top of the second.

No Panthers scored in the bottom of the second, but Daile Keeler was hit by a Vanwinkle pitch.

Clarke senior Shayla Hembry rocketed a single that reached the warning track and advanced one base at a time until a pitch behind Ali Henry scored Hembry a run.

Creston centerfielder Caitlin Bruce celebrated her birthday by retiring the Clarke side when she caught a fly ball smacked by Tori Henry.

“I feel really good about it,” Bruce said. “It was kind of hard catch because it almost fell out of my glove. But, hey, I got my other hand up there and that’s all you need to do, persevere through the hard times.”

Sophie Hagle tripled to open the inning and scored a run when Nevaeh Randall grounded out.

No Clarke runs scored in the top of the fourth inning.

Creston’s bats came alive in the bottom of the fourth as the Panthers plated seven runs on five hits. Ava Adamson started the fiery bat performance with a double and Evans singled shortly thereafter.

Keeler drove in Adamson with a groundout and pitcher Keely Coen doubled which drove in Evans on a catching collision between two Indians.

Junior Doryn Paup pinch ran for Coen and advanced to third after a Sophie Hagle double. Gracie drove in both Coen and her sister in the following at bat. Foote was walked and Gracie added another tally when Randall drove her in with an RBI double.

Driskell drove in Foote and Randall with an RBI double of her own which made the score 9-1 Panthers heading into the fifth.

A trio of Clarke batters crossed the plate in the fifth inning.

Keeler’s lead off walk led to Mila Kuhns and Paup scoring later in the inning.

Gracie Hagle had a called ball four which got her on base.

Foote ended the game with a two run home run.

The Panthers face .500, 16-16, Denison-Schleswig in a home doubleheader on Thursday. Since 2009, the Panthers lead the series 15-8.

“Just want to do justice to the regular season that we’ve had and finish it out on a good note, and start thinking about our second season,” McCabe said.

Senior sendoff

The senior class of Gracie Hagle, Halle Evans, Anna Mikkelsen and Doryn Paup have played 142 games since their eighth grade season and won 60.6% of their games.

Gracie Hagle, daughter of Jason and Lisa Hagle will continue her softball career at Grand View University where she will study nursing.

Softball can become a metaphorical sisterhood between members of a team, for Gracie, she got to play alongside her younger sister Sophie, who is a sophomore.

“It’s emotional,” Hagle said. “I’ve been playing since my eighth grade year and I had my older sister (Chloe) that year. Having Sophie these last couple years has been really fun because we play travel ball together (Southern Iowa Dirt Divas) and getting to play together in our hometown is fun. Getting to play with her one last time on the field is emotional. She’s my best friend and I’m probably going to cry after I say goodbye.”

“She did kick butt today,” Hagle added of her sister’s 2-for-2 appearance at the plate with a triple and three runs tallied.

For the metaphorical sisterhood, memories have also been made.

“Growing up together,” Hagle said. “Getting to play this year with them and getting to be the best team in the Hawkeye 10 and seeing the success we deserve. Our class has worked really hard to be good at softball.”

The regular season might be over Thursday, but like Marcus Peters once said “I think we ain’t done yet.”

Hagle echoes the sentiments.

“Work is not done and we’re going to get it done,” she said. “We are ready to go.”

The other three seniors will take their academic talents to Ames.

Halle Evans, daughter of Rob and April Evans, to major in animal science and pre-veterinary medicine.

Evans favorite memory, out of many, involves a victory over Hawkeye 10 foe Atlantic.

“It’s hard to pick,” Evans said. “Probably the best time was my sophomore year when we got that win over Atlantic being the underdog, got that win and got to Fort Dodge. Even though we didn’t get the whole experience because of COVID, it was still so much fun. The trips to Cedar Rapids.”

Anna Mikkelsen, daughter of Curt Mikkelsen and Jason and Stephanie Lane intends to major in psychology.

Mikkelsen, who has been in a catching role this season also finds a memory from her sophomore year to be memorable.

“I had a really bad slide two years ago in Cedar Rapids that was pretty funny,” Mikkelsen said. “Going to state that was fun. I think if we work hard, don’t let our guard down and play the game that we all love.”

Mikkelsen has been wearing the No. 16 jersey since her freshman year.

“It was the last pick,” Mikkelsen said. “She (Driskell) took my number and this all I could find in my size.”

Morgan Driskell, daughter of Scott and Melissa Driskell, will double major in agriculture business and event management.

Her favorite memory also involves qualifying for the state tournament.

Driskell often leads the cheers in the dugout. Her favorite involves freshman catcher Ava Adamson.

“Hey twoee, twoee, Adamson’s cheer, that’s my favorite,” Driskell said.