MONROE — Senior Anna Shaver hit a two-run home run, eighth-grader Paige Steenhoek went all seven innings in the circle and the Prairie City-Monroe softball team had no trouble taking down Roland-Story, 6-0, on Tuesday night.
The win was the second Heart of Iowa Conference win for the Mustangs and first shutout victory of the season.
“The big tale for us tonight was we didn’t allow a single Roland-Story leadoff hitter to get on base to start the inning and that was huge,” PCM head coach Shaun Hudnut said. “That’s why we had a shutout. Getting that first out is huge.”
The Mustangs went to work offensively right away in the first inning. Junior Hailey Schutte bunted and got on base as the leadoff hitter. With two outs, Shaver stepped up to the plate and put two runs on the board with her first home run of the year.
“As a team, we’ve always been like, let’s get on the ball early in the first inning to set the tone for the game,” Shaver said. “I think right after hitting that home run, everyone saw that we have the ability and the power to do it.”
PCM was able to score two more runs in the third inning. With the bases loaded, Shaver was able to drive in a run on a fielder’s choice. Eighth-grader Riley Johannes brought in one more on a fielder’s choice as well.
In the fourth inning, eighth-grader RaeAnn Duinink doubled to left field and eighth-grader Riley DeVore brought her in on a suicide squeeze to make it 5-0.
Senior Camryn Wignall scored on an errant pitch in the fifth inning to give the Mustangs their final run.
After an 11-0 loss to a tough South Hamilton squad the night before, Hudnut was proud of how his girls bounced back.
“We’re learning how to ride that roller coaster to get more even-keeled and consistent with how we respond to things,” Hudnut said.
Shaver led the team offensively with three RBIs and a home run. Duinink also had two hits in the victory.
Wignall and Schutte both scored two runs and Wignall drew the team’s only walk. Belle Hudnut had one hit and stole two bases.
Steenhoek (4-7) allowed only two hits in the circle, walked none and struck out two.
The Mustangs take on Saydel at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Monroe.
