NEVADA — Sophomore Abbey Kahler twirled a five-hitter and struck out 13 in her first career varsity start and Vernonica Condon had three hits as the Collins-Maxwell/Baxter softball team began the season with a 7-1 win over Nevada.
Kahler, a move in from Ballard in the offseason, made just one mistake in winning claiming her first career varsity win. Erika Helton blasted a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to provide the Cubs with their only run. Kahler scattered four more hits over seven innings of work.
The Raiders jump out in front with a run in the first as Megan Ritter walked and scored. Ritter made it 3-0 in the fourth when she smoked a two-run single down the third-base line. CMB plated four more runs in the fifth to pull away against its Heart of Iowa Conference rival.
“It was a good night to play,” CMB coach Troy Houge said. “I liked our how aggressive we were. It was a really good team win.
“It was good to see Abbey throw so well in her first varsity game. She didn’t walk anybody, which is impressive in the first game of the year.”
The Raiders (1-0) had at least two runners on base in every inning and committed no errors in the field.
Condon doubled and had an RBI, while Harlie Durr chipped in two hits, two stolen bases, a walk, two runs and an RBI in the win.
MacKenzie Schmitz, Payge Jurgens and Ritter all had one hit in the win. Schmitz walked twice, had one RBI and scored a run. Ritter and Jurgens each walked once and scored a run.
Mackenzie Garrett took the loss in the circle for Nevada. She allowed eight hits and six earned runs over seven innings. She also walked eight and struck out four.
The Raiders will try to move to 3-0 on Thursday when they host Oskaloosa in a doubleheader that begins at 5:30 p.m.
CMB will host defending HOIC runner-up Greene County at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Rams placed third in the Class 3A state tournament last year.
BASEBALL
Nevada 10, CMB 0
The Raiders managed just three hits at the plate and the Cubs broke open a 4-0 game with six runs in the final two innings.
Seth Balke started on the mound for CMB and took the loss despite pitching into the sixth inning. He allowed four earned runs and also had a hit at the plate. Nate Bishop threw the final 1 2/3 innings.
Brad Ritter and Spencer Gauch had the other two hits for the Raiders, who will host Greene County at 7:30 p.m. Friday.