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Axmear, Bears start season off strong with 12-0 victory over Belle Plaine
BELLE PLAINE — Last week, Kennedy Axmear was throwing shot put and discus at the Iowa High School state track meet. Four days later, she is throwing no-hitters and hitting home runs.
There appeared to be no initial rust as the English Valleys softball team started the season off strong with a 12-0 victory over Belle Plaine Wednesday night.
The Bears had things rolling from the get-go with three separate RBI singles from Axmear, Ada Mews and Aubrey Achenbach in the top of the 1st.
In the top of the 2nd Ava Gehrking added in another RBI single and Axmear hit Gehrking in on a double. Addison Achenbach hit Axmear in on a sac fly to centerfield.
The icing on the cake came in the top of the 3rd when Axmear launched a 3-run home run over left centerfield.
The Bears brought in two more runs in the 4th and added one more in the fifth.
Axmear was also dialed in all game from the mound allowing no hits and nine strikeouts in five innings.
Belle Plaine’s closest scoring threat came in the bottom of the 4th when Denisyn Adams stole second after getting on base via walk.
“I thought our girls did a good job of getting in position and being patient at the plate,” Bears head coach Steve Hester said. “Kennedy pitched well, and we have a great group of seniors.”
Leadership will be key for the Bears this season; they have a blend of a lot of seniors and younger players.
Axmear, one of the seniors on the team, has had a lot of success in a Bears uniform. This season will be her last competing as an athlete. She will not pursue athletics at the collegiate level, focusing instead on becoming a teacher.
“Representing this school has meant a lot to me, I’m going to give it my all this season,” Axmear said.
“Being a four-sport athlete has taken a toll on my body. I need a break” Axmear said.
Belle Plaine has had two tough pitching matchups to start the season in Sigourney’s Carly Goodwin and English Valleys’ Axmear.
The Plainsmen made solid contact on a few occasions, but great defensive plays by the Bears prevented these from being hits.
“We have a lot of talent, and we are still learning how to work together,” Belle Plaine head coach Morgan Goslin said.
“We have overcome a lot of adversity in these first few weeks and we’re going to figure it out.”
The Plainsmen have a matchup at Iowa Valley Friday to finish off the week’s schedule.
