Hawkeye 10 sweep continues for Panther softball

Thursday the Panthers hosted their third Hawkeye 10 opponent of the week — the Glenwood Rams.

In mercy ruling the Rams 8-0 after five innings, the Panthers maintain a perfect 6-0 in the Hawkeye 10. Earlier in the week they swept Lewis Central and defeated Atlantic.

Senior Taryn Fredrickson pitched the shut out, striking out 11 batters and throwing 51 strikes on 77 pitches. The Panthers’ defense allowed only one hit and Fredrickson gave up two walks.

Creston scored early and often, putting up one, two, three and two runs in the four innings played, respectively.

Senior Ava Adamson led the offense, going three-for-three at bat, including a single and a triple, for three runs scored.

Five other Panthers made it around the bases during the game, including a two-run home run in the third by senior Jersey Foote.

Avery Staver, Fredrickson, Mila Kuhns and Sidney Staver were the Panthers’ other scorers.

Fredrickson, Foote and Kennedy Strider each logged two RBIs in the win.

5A play

Friday the Panthers face tough competition at the Jaguar Invite hosted by Ankeny Centennial.

The first game saw the Panthers matched up with Ankeny Centennial, No. 3 in 5A. The second game was against No. 14 Ames.

The June 5 rankings place the Panthers No. 15 in 4A.

Creston held its own against the powerhouse Jaguars, only falling 6-3.

Centennial got the quick start, scoring three in the first inning. Jordyn Kennedy hit two two-run homers in the matchup.

The Panthers game back in the third with Fredrickson hitting a two-run double to score Adamson and Avery Staver, putting Creston down only one.

Kennedy’s second home run in the bottom of the third gave the Jaguars a 5-2 advantage. Though Adamson would hit a home run of her own in the fifth, the Panthers struggled against pitcher Peyton Spiegel, who struck out 10 Creston batters. Fredrickson logged five strikeouts from the mound.

Against Ames, Creston started pitcher Kennedy Strider who struggled against the heavy-hitting team.

The undefeated Little Cyclones put up eight hits and 11 runs in their 11-1 victory.

The Panthers’ only run came via a home run by Avery Staver in the first inning. Marlin and Kuhns each hit singles, but no one else scored for the Panthers.

Creston returns to action for another week of H10 play. Monday is a doubleheader at Denison-Schleswig followed by play at Atlantic on Tuesday. Thursday they return home to face Red Oak in a doubleheader before the John Stephens Classic this weekend.