Panther softball doubles on St. Albert; splits games in Oskaloosa

Creston easily got by St. Albert in both games of a doubleheader Monday, June 21 at home.

The Panthers spread out 12 runs over five innings in a 12-2 win in game one. St. Albert started off with two runs in the first inning but Creston steadily scored and took a 3-2 lead after the third inning. Neveah Randall hit home runs in the first and third inning. Keely Coen crossed the plate in the second.

Creston’s fourth inning was productive with another three runs scored as Halle Evans, Caitlin Bruce and Sophie Hagle all scored.

Creston put the game out of reach in the fifth with six runs scored. A string of hits by Gracie Hagle, Peyton Rice, Morgan Driskell, Keely Coen and Bruce all turned into runs.

Randall finished with three hits, including her two home runs, and three RBIs. As a team, Creston had 13 hits, 10 RBIs and had five strikeouts.

Keely Coen pitched five innings and struck out three.

Game two was a similar story in Creston’s 12-0 win. The Panthers wasted no time scoring four in the first including a three run home run by Randall. Gracie Hagle and Rice hits turned into runs scored. Bruce and Jersey Foote also had hits. Gracie also hit a home run.

The scoring explosion continued in the second with eight more runs as Creston turned four walks into some of those eight runs.

Gracie Hagle finished with two hits including her home run and two RBIs. Drisekell had three RBIs and a stolen base. Team stats, Creston finished with nine hits, two strikeouts and drew four walks.

Taryn Fredrickson struck out six.

A late scoring run was not enough for Creston as it lost 5-3 Saturday to Fairfield at the Oskaloosa Classic Tournament.

Fairfield (13-9) jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead and made it more difficult for the Panthers by adding two more runs in the third.

Keely Coen pitched the entire game for Creston and allowed 12 hits and a walk. All five of Fairfield’s runs were earned. Fairfield struck out twice.

Already trailing 5-0, Creston was not able to score until the sixth inning with a run scored by Peyton Rice. Runs scored in the seventh by Gracie Hagle and Jersey Foote gave Creston its three runs.

The Panthers finished with four hits, drew four walks but struck out 19 times. Neveah Randall had a hit and two RBIs. Rice had a hit and a stolen base.

Creston responded by defeating Knoxville 4-3. A three-run second inning was boosted by Gracie Hagle hitting a three-run home run. Hagle finished leading Creston with two hits, four RBIs and a run scored.

As a team, Creston finished with three hits and drew three walks. The Panthers struck out eight times.

Taryn Fredrickson pitched six innings and struck out three. Knoxville (15-7) finished with four hits including a home run.

Creston (14-10) hosts St. Albert today for a doubleheader starting at 5:30 p.m. Shenandoah visits Creston 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Panthers travel to Clarinda 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The Panthers again travel to eastern Iowa Saturday for a the Brian Erbe Classic at Cedar Rapids’ Jefferson High School.

Creston plays Iowa City West at noon followed by Jefferson.