Eighth-grader Jager powers Lady Comets past Van Buren

Cassidy McMartin and Makayla Jager picked up a pair of RBIs apiece as Cardinal earned a 7-5 victory over Van Buren on Tuesday afternoon.

Erika Ash earned the win, pitching all seven innings and allowing only six hits in her outing. The freshman struck out three and did not walk a batter. One of her five runs allowed was unearned.

Shelby Smith was a perfect 2-2 with an RBI at the plate for the Comets. Lindsey Davis smacked an RBI double and Lexi Fullenkamp scored two runs out of the leadoff slot.

For the Warriors, Libby King, Hannah Heiserman and Sarah Thornsberry had two hits apiece, with King and Taylor Diephuis driving in two RBIs. Diephuis, Hannah Hudson, Kortney Banks and Lauren Starnes each had a hit for Van Buren.

Cardinal will face Washington in the first round of the Fairfield softball invitational this afternoon. Van Buren followed by hosting Mediapolis on Thursday

VAN BUREN 16, MEDIAPOLIS 15

KEOSAUQUA ? Aesop?s cliche phrase of ?slow and steady wins the race? was disproven Thursday night in Keosauqua, as Van Buren walked off with a 16-15 win over Mediapolis.

Mediapolis scored in every inning, including a six-run outburst in the sixth to take a 14-10 lead over the Warriors, but Van Buren struck for five runs in the seventh to claim the victory.

Hannah Sprouse picked up a two-run single in the seventh to tie the game at five, setting up Libby King?s walk-off single, a knock to right field to send Van Buren home with their second win of the season.

?I knew if I got a gapper, it was over,? said King. ?I was pretty excited.?

Hannah Hudson smacked a grand slam for Van Buren as well to give the Warriors a 9-5 lead,

The Warriors capitalized on a host of Mediapolis mistakes and showed some great patience, drawing 12 walks, seven that came over 1 2/3 innings from the Bulldogs? Lily Johnson.

Van Buren will play today and tomorrow in a softball tournament in Creston.

? Van Buren Register editor Rusty Ebert contributed to this story.