Mustangs rally past Roland-Story

MONROE — Sidney Shaver had four hits at the plate, Paige Steenhoek went the distance in the circle and PCM’s softball team rallied past Roland-Story, 7-6, on June 29 during Heart of Iowa Conference action.

Roland-Story led 5-2 in the fourth inning before the Mustangs scored one in the fourth and three in the sixth to get the come-from-behind win.

“It was a really gritty performance by our girls,” PCM coach Shaun Hudnut said. “They took the early lead, fell behind and scored four runs over the last three frames to win the game.”

Steenhoek (3-4) earned the win in the circle, surrendering six runs — three earned — on 10 hits with four walks and one hit batter.

Shaver was 4-for-4 on the night with a run scored and an RBI. Joslin Briles’ only hit netted a pair of runs and Lark Drake scored two runs.

South Hamilton 5,

PCM 4

JEWELL — PCM fell behind early, rallied late but suffered a 5-4 loss to South Hamilton on July 1 during HOIC play.

The Mustangs (3-10 overall, 3-7 in the conference) took a 4-3 lead with three runs in the seventh inning, but the Hawks answered with two runs in the bottom half to walk it off.

The win by the Hawks completed the season sweep of PCM. Both games were decided by one run.

Steenhoek had two hits and two RBIs to lead the offense and also took the loss in the circle. Steenhoek allowed five runs — three earned — on seven hits with two walks and one hit batter.

Drake had one hit, two runs and one walk and Briles walked twice, had one hit and one RBI.

Saydel 8, PCM 5

MONROE — PCM is still trying to figure out how to win close games.

The Mustangs are 1-6 this season in games decided by three runs or less. And the latest defeat came against Saydel during HOIC action on July 2.

PCM rallied from a 3-0 hole but allowed the Eagles to score four runs in the seventh inning and lost 8-5.

Saydel scored three runs in the first inning to take an early lead. PCM chipped away at the deficit with single runs in each of the first four innings.

The Eagles won the seventh inning 4-1 and the win helped them salvage a season split against the Mustangs.

Both teams had nine hits. PCM had the only two errors in the game.

Riley DeVore (0-6) started in the circle and took the loss. She allowed six runs — five earned — on six hits with three walks, one strikeout and one hit batter in 6 1/3 innings pitched.

Riley Johannes led the offense with three hits. Briles had two hits and two RBIs, Shaver walked twice and Skyler Burns scored two runs.

North Polk sweeps PCM in double dip

ALLEMAN — Class 3A No. 8 North Polk didn’t give PCM much help during a HOIC doubleheader on July 3.

The Mustangs managed just 11 hits in the two games and the Comets had only two errors and allowed three free bases in the doubleheader.

On the flip side, North Polk cranked out 20 hits and took advantage of six PCM errors and 12 free passes during the sweep. North Polk won the opener 7-3 and took the second game 9-0.

In the opener, PCM had six hits and six errors. All three runs were scored in the top of the seventh. But North Polk (11-2, 8-2) improved a one-run lead with two runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and one in the sixth.

Steenhoek and DeVore each had two hits on offense. Hailey Schutte collected two RBIs.

The Mustangs rotated pitchers every inning between Steenhoek and DeVore. Both pitchers tossed three innings in the first game.

DeVore allowed four runs — two earned — on four hits with one strikeout and three hit batters and took the loss. Steenhoek allowed three runs — two earned — on six hits with one strikeout and two walks.

In the nightcap, PCM was held to five hits. North Polk scored three in the third, two in the fourth and four in the fifth during a 9-0 victory.

The five hits came from Schutte, Johannes, DeVore, Drake and Briles.

Steenhoek pitched four innings in the second game and allowed two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

DeVore tossed three innings, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits with one strikeout, three walks and three hit batters. She took the loss.