March 29, 2024

Wilson homer helps C-M softball rally past CMB

COLLINS — For the second straight night, the Colfax-Mingo softball team used a big inning to rally back for a win.

The Class 1A No. 11 Tigerhawks used a two-run homer by Ries Wilson to spark a five-run rally as Colfax-Mingo defeated 3A No. 13 Collins-Maxwell/Baxter, 5-2, on Tuesday.

CMB (20-8) led 2-0 after one inning but didn’t score again against Colbee Cunningham, who improved to 8-3.

Wilson’s fourth homer of the season was a two-run shot in the fifth.

Amy Russell improved her team-leading .535 batting average with two more hits, and she walked once. Mackensie Brown had three hits and one RBI.

CMB’s Abbey Kahler came into the game with just five walks in 79 innings but walked three C-M batters. She took the loss after allowing three earned runs on six hits with seven strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Mikayla Houge struck out five in her 2 2/3 innings and allowed an unearned run.

Mikayla Eslinger doubled and tripled at the plate, while Payge Jurgens also had two hits and scored one of the team’s two runs.

Kahler walked twice, while Eslinger and Hannah Caple each had an RBI.

Both Colfax-Mingo (20-9) and CMB can win conference titles with wins Wednesday.

C-M can win the outright South Iowa Cedar League title with a home win over North Mahaska.

CMB can clinch at least a share of the Heart of Iowa Conference title with a home win over Roland-Story.