Another one bites the dust

GLENWOOD — The Panthers’ Hawkeye 10 domination continued Thursday against Glenwood (9-10, 7-7) as the Creston softball team won a 10-1 battle on the road.

The No. 13 Panthers (20-5, 13-0) put together a consistent performance, scoring in five out of six innings.

In the circle, senior Taryn Fredrickson faced 22 batters, striking out 11 and allowing just three hits. Fredrickson’s 167 strikeouts this season is third most in all classes and leads Class 4A.

Leadoff batter Ava Adamson opened offense for the Panthers, using her quick speed and taking advantage of Ram errors to score despite no one else getting on base in the first.

Glenwood responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the first, a double by Allison Koontz followed by an error on the next batter sending in the tying run.

From there, the game shifted immediately into the Panthers’ favor.

Four Panthers scored two runs apiece — Adamson on a single and a walk, Avery Staver on a home run and an error, Jersey Foote on an intentional walk and a double and Sidney Staver on a double and walk.

In the top of the fifth, Jaycee Hanson hit a two-run double, scoring Sidney Staver and Mila Kuhns.

On defense, the Panthers forced three innings of three up, three down to keep the Rams off the bases.

Saturday, Creston competed in the Indian Softball Classic in Oskaloosa where they were 2-0 on the day. Starting with a 9-2 win over Wayne, the Panthers had three home runs — one from Avery Staver and two from Foote.

Avery’s home run was her ninth of the season, tied for most in the Hawkeye 10 with Aubree Davis of Lewis Central.

Against Oskaloosa, Creston won 12-5, with Hanson putting up a two-run homer in the third.

The Panthers return to action tonight as they host Kuemper Catholic (9-11, 7-3) in a Hawkeye 10 doubleheader. Tuesday and Thursday they are on the road for matchups with Shenandoah and Clarinda.

Thursday will be the first time the top-two Hawkeye 10 teams face off, undefeated Creston taking on defending conference champion Clarinda (16-6, 7-1). The Cardinals were just handed their first H10 loss Tuesday in a 4-2 bout with Atlantic.