The Roland-Story Norsemen and South Hamilton Hawks softball teams returned to action on Friday, as the two long-time rivals faced one another in Heart of Iowa Conference action at the Mike Penning Athletic Complex in Jewell. Roland-Story entered at 1-1, while South Hamilton entered at 0-2.
Roland-Story got off to a fast start on Friday, putting up 4 runs in the 1st off a Keely Oberender 2-run RBI double, an Evelyn Carlson sac fly and a Maddie Berggren RBI single to put the Norsemen up 4-0. A scoreless 2nd was followed by the Norsemen driving in a run on a Maddie Berggren RBI triple to put Roland-Story ahead 6-0. The 5th inning would then be a prosperous one of the Norsemen, putting up 5 runs behind a Miley Geise RBI double, a Payton Jeter 2-run RBI single and an Evelyn Carlson 2-run home run to put the Norsemen up 10-0. South Hamilton would put up a run in the bottom of the 5th off a Lillie Ammerman RBI groundout, but the Norsemen would clinch a 10-1, 5-inning victory.
Evelyn Carlson had the top day at the plate for the Norsemen, going 2-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI, while Maddie Berggren went a perfect 3-for-3 with a triple and 2 RBI. Miley Geise was the winning pitcher, allowing 1 run on 2 hits and striking out 9 in 5 innings. Lillie Ammerman drove in the lone South Hamilton run while Sydnee Flaugh and Claire Hewitt had both of the Hawks hits. Jill Hesse was the losing pitcher, allowing 5 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits and striking out 2.
Roland-Story softball returns to action on Monday, when they travel to Greene County to take on the Rams in Heart of Iowa Conference action at the Jefferson Softball Park, beginning at 7:30 PM. South Hamilton softball returns to action on Monday, when they travel to State Center to take on (3A) #14 West Marshall in Heart of Iowa Conference action at 7 PM.