ALLEMAN — One out away from another Heart of Iowa Conference victory, the Collins-Maxwell/Baxter softball team lost a big lead Tuesday during a make-up game against North Polk.
The Raiders led 5-1 after six innings but lost 6-5 after the Comets plated five unearned runs in the seventh frame.
“We did not play to win tonight,” CMB coach Troy Houge said. “We got the first two outs in the seventh inning and then fell flat on our face. We played not to lose instead of playing to win and gave them the game.”
The loss drops the Class 3A No. 10 Raiders to 11-4 overall and 7-2 in HOIC play. North Polk improved to 10-5 overall and 5-2 in league games.
Eighth-grader Mikayla Houge started in the circle for the Raiders. She took the loss but did not allow an earned run. Houge scattered nine hits, walked five and struck out four.
“She struggled at times but got out of jams because of a good defense,” Houge said. “That was until the seventh inning when back-to-back errors with two outs gave them momentum.”
Junior Mikayla Eslinger had two hits to lead the CMB offense. Sophomore Jordynn Wesselink laced a three-run double, while juniors Abbey Kahler and Heather Jessen, sophomore Katie Camp and eighth-graders Houge and Holly Jessen also had one hit apiece.
The Raiders play at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Nevada.