Interstate 35 softball silences Nodaway Valley

GREENFIELD — A close 6-2 loss at the Winterset Tournament earlier this season to Class 2A seventh-ranked Interstate 35 gave Nodaway Valley coach Ray Stewart hope heading into Friday’s Pride of Iowa Conference softball matchup in Greenfield.

The powerful Roadrunners squashed the Wolverines’ hopes for an upset.

Interstate 35 scored 14 times over the final two innings to earn a 15-0, four-inning win.

“I thought we could have a chance against them, but not the way we played (Friday),” said Nodaway Valley coach Ray Stewart.

Interstate 35 struck for a run in the second.

It was all Roadrunners from there. Interstate 35 pounded out seven runs in the third, including a two-run home run by Cheyanne Hiatt, and seven more in the fourth.

Nodaway Valley had no offensive answer against Interstate 35 pitcher Carlyn Stanley. Stanley allowed only two hits — singles by Katie Jensen and Paige McElfish in the fourth— and three total baserunners, all coming in the fourth inning.

Stanley struck out 10 and walked one.

“She’s a very good pitcher,” Stewart said.

The Wolverines’ overall effort was a little frustrating to Stewart.

“We thought we could play with them and we didn’t,” Stewart said. “It was just one of those nights.”