March 29, 2024

PCM softball ready for postseason after rout of Des Moines Christian

Mustangs sweep West Marshall, fall to state-ranked Roland-Story in extras

URBANDALE — It took a few innings for PCM’s softball team to get going. But once it got rolling, Des Moines Christian struggled to slow the Mustangs down.

PCM plated 10 runs in the sixth inning and closed out the Lions 13-1 in six during a non-conference road game on Friday.

The Mustangs had nine hits and DMC committed four errors in the regular season finale for both teams.

“We were a little flat coming out the gate and missed some scoring opportunities,” PCM softball coach Shaun Hudnut said. “Eventually we were able to break the game open in the sixth. We are proud of the girls for finishing the game and the last couple weeks of our season strong.”

Paige Steenhoek and Addison Steenhoek combined for five of the team’s nine hits and Joslin Briles slugged her team-leading sixth homer of the season.

The Mustangs scored one run in the second. Paige Steenhoek singled between two Des Moines Christian (14-16) errors.

PCM added single runs in the fourth and fifth.

In the fourth, Paige Steenhoek singled and went to second on an overthrow, advanced to third after a fly out by Reese Palm and then scored on an error.

RaeAnn Duinink singled and stole second in the fifth and then scored on Lark Drake’s RBI single.

The 10-run sixth included a two-run single by Paige Steenhoek, an RBI single by Riley Johannes, a two-run home run by Briles, an RBI triple by Addison Steenhoek and an RBI sacrifice fly to center by Addyson Hegwood. The Mustangs also scored two runs on another Lion error.

Paige Steenhoek had three hits, two RBIs, two runs and one hit by pitch and Addison Steenhoek added two hits, one triple, one run and one RBI.

Duinink and Drake each tallied one hit, two runs, one RBI and one walk and Duinink stole one base.

Briles’ homer was her only hit. Her six bombs rank tied for 10th in Class 3A. Johannes’ RBI was her 31st of the summer.

Sidney Shaver had one walk and one run and she leads the team in both categories with 16 and 27, respectively.

Palm walked twice and scored one run, Tori Lindsay was hit by a pitch and scored a run and Addi Hudnut scored one run.

Rylee Parsons improved to 4-1 after she allowed no runs and three hits with three strikeouts and one walk in five innings.

Ella Schendel tossed the final inning and surrendered one earned run on three hits.

PCM cruises past West Marshall twice

MONROE — A strong start in the opener and a better finish in the nightcap allowed PCM to cruise past West Marshall in a Heart of Iowa Conference doubleheader on Monday.

The Mustangs scored six runs in the first and six in the fourth to down the Trojans 13-1 in four innings in the opener. And then rallied from a 3-0 hole with four in the third, seven in the fourth and two in the fifth to win game two 13-3 in five.

“We jumped on the board early with six runs in the first, capped off by Joslin’s grand slam to right field,” Coach Hudnut said. “From there, we kept adding runs, pitched and played defense well. Great game overall to set the tone for the night.”

Briles’ grand slam capped the six-run first in game one. Before that, Drake and Paige Steenhoek recorded RBI singles.

In the second, Belle Hudnut walked and scored on Johannes’ RBI double.

Johannes, who is batting a team-best .472, finished with three hits, one double, one homer, two runs and three RBIs. She surpassed 100 career RBIs in the game.

Her homer came in the six-run fourth after Shaver reached on a single. Paige Steenhoek followed with an RBI double, Briles collected an RBI single and Palm and Addison Steenhoek finalized the scoring with RBI doubles.

Parsons earned the win in the circle after allowing one earned run on two hits and she struck out four in four innings.

Briles finished with two hits, a homer, five RBIs and one walk and Drake and Paige Steenhoek each had two hits, two runs and one RBI. Shaver tallied one hit, two runs and one walk, Palm doubled, scored one run and had one RBI and Addison Steenhoek tripled and had one RBI.

Belle Hudnut and Duinink both walked once and scored one run and Jorja Teeter scored one run.

In the nightcap, Belle Hudnut’s two-run double and Johannes’ two-run homer put the Mustangs up 4-3 after three.

“It took us a trip through the lineup to adjust to the slower speed in the nightcap,” Coach Hudnut said. “Once we were able to, we hit for multiple extra bases and come back from a 3-0 deficit.”

PCM’s seven-run fourth included a triple by Drake, doubles by Paige Steenhoek, Briles, Duinink and Palm and bunt singles by Belle Hudnut and Addison Steenhoek.

The Mustangs (16-11 overall, 9-5 in the conference) ended the game in the fifth after a two-run inning. Briles and Lindsay hit back-to-back doubles, Paige Steenhoek reached on an error and Shaver drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in the first run. Lindsay eventually scored on a passed ball.

“It was great to see us stay up, make the adjustment and then rip the ball over the next three innings. Both Rylee and Ella pitched well for us in the circle and our defense came around after some early misplays.”

Schendel (10-4) earned the win in the circle. She allowed three runs — zero earned — on two hits with one strikeout and two walks in five innings.

Briles had three hits, two doubles, three runs and one RBI in game two. Belle Hudnut finished with two hits, two runs, one double and two RBIs and Drake had two hits, one triple and one run.

Johannes homered, scored two runs and had three RBIs, Shaver registered one hit, one run, one RBI and one walk and Duinink, Pam and Paige Steenhoek doubled and scored one run and Duinink and Palm had an RBI.

Lindsay doubled and scored one run and Addison Steenhoek had one hit and one RBI.

West Marshall (12-19, 5-9) scored three runs in the second. The Mustangs out-hit the Trojans 14-2 and both teams committed three errors.

Roland-Story 5, PCM 3, 9 innings

MONROE — PCM scored first and pushed Class 3A No. 14 Roland-Story to extra innings on Wednesday.

The Mustangs tied the game in the bottom of the seventh but lost 5-3 after the Lady Norse scored two runs in the top of the ninth during a home HOIC matchup.

The game was for a second place finish in the final conference standings.

“I was extremely proud of how our girls battled all night long,” Coach Hudnut said. “We had opportunities and hit the ball hard all night — we just couldn’t find open grass or have one fall in.”

The Mustangs scored two runs in the third to take an early lead.

An RBI groundout by Johannes scored Addison Steenhoek, who doubled to begin the frame. An RBI double by Duinink plated Belle Hudnut, who reached on a single.

After Roland-Story scored three in the fourth to take a lead, PCM tied it with a run in the seventh.

After Shaver singled, Lindsay came in to pinch run. Belle Hudnut walked and then Lindsay advanced to third on a passed ball. She scored on Johannes’ RBI sacrifice fly.

Roland-Story (19-9, 10-4) won it with two runs in the ninth. The Lady Norse out-hit the Mustangs 10-4 and PCM accounted for four errors.

“This was a really good game for us to be in leading into regionals next week,” Coach Hudnut said. “It’s going to give us lots of learning opportunities, confidence and growth.”

Addison Steenhoek and Duinink led the offense with one double each. Addison Steenhoek scored one run and Duinink had an RBI.

Belle Hudnut collected one hit, one run and one walk and Shaver had the other hit. Johannes registered two RBIs, Lindsay scored one run and Drake walked once.

Parsons pitched all nine innings and took the loss after allowing five runs — one earned — on 10 hits. She struck out a career-high 13 and walked just one.

Knoxville 11, PCM 1, 5 innings

KNOXVILLE — The Mustangs were limited to three hits and committed three errors during an 11-1 road loss to 4A No. 12 Knoxville on Tuesday.

PCM scored its run in the fifth but couldn’t avoid the 10-run mercy rule.

Drake, Paige Steenhoek and Briles all had one hit and Addison Steenhoek collected an RBI.

Schendel and Drake split time in the circle. Schendel started and took the loss after giving up nine runs — seven earned — on eight hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

“Ella threw the ball well and hit spots, but the zone was small,” Coach Hudnut said. “If you’re forced to throw the ball right over the heart of the plate against a team like Knoxville, it’s going to be hit pretty hard.”

Drake tossed the final inning and allowed two runs — one earned — on two hits with one strikeout.

In the run-scoring fifth, Briles doubled and scored on an RBI groundout by Addison Steenhoek.

Ashlyn Finarty homered and had four RBIs to lead Knoxville (17-8).

“It was a tough night overall for us,” Coach Hudnut said. “We also played pretty conservatively. Grinnell was there scouting, so we didn’t show any of our small-ball game. In the long run, we want to have a better showing. Our girls will bounce back.”