Bolts break out brooms against Royals

BAXTER — Two Bolts' wins are better than one.

Baxter's baseball and softball teams collected narrow victories over the Royals at home on Monday night during Iowa Star Conference South Division action.

On the baseball diamond, Baxter rallied from a 5-3 deficit to win 6-5. The Bolts' softball team edged Colo-NESCO, 2-1, in 11 innings.

In the baseball game, Baxter led 1-0 and then 3-1 before falling behind 5-3 in the fifth inning. A two-run fifth inning tied the game for the Bolts and Cody Damman's RBI single in the bottom of the sixth won it for the home team.

Jake Travis came on in relief and pitched the final three innings, collecting the win after allowing no runs on no hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

In the first inning, Rory Heer singled before scoring on Cole Damman's RBI grounder that resulted in a throwing error.

In the third, Heer walked and stole second before scoring on an error. Another Royals' error made it 3-1 in favor of Baxter.

With the game tied at 5-all after five innings, Baxter (3-3 overall, 3-3 in the conference) scored a run in the sixth to take the lead for good.

Brad Matthews walked to lead off the frame. He scored on Cody Damman's RBi single.

Travis issued a walk in the top of the seventh but got the final out on a slow roller to Andrew Klemme at second base.

Heer finished with one hit, one walk, two steals and two runs, while Cody Damman added two hits and two RBIs. Cole Damman doubled, scored a run and stole two bases and Matthews walked, was hit by a pitch and scored a run. Travis had one hit and one walk and Carter Nelsen singled and scored a run.

Klemme started on the mound and allowed four runs — two earned — with two strikeouts and three walks in 3 2/3 innings. Nelsen got one out in relief but allowed an earned run in the fifth inning.

Colo-NESCO fell to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in conference play.

Statistics were not available for Baxter softball. The Bolts trailed 1-0 until they tied the game with a run in the fourth. They then won it in the 11th to improve to 4-2 overall and 4-2 in the conference. The Royals 3-6 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

Baxter softball plays at Nevada at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Both Bolts programs host North Tama at 5 p.m. on Wednesday in Baxter.