EV Bears power past Keota to close regular season

English Valleys’ softball team closed out the regular season with a bang Monday, June 26, cruising to a three-inning, 17-0 victory at Keota.

Kennedy Axmear’s arm and bat once again carried the Bears as she pitched a no-hitter, striking out nine of the 10 batters she faced, and went 3-for-3 at the plate with a home run — her 10th this season, two doubles and six RBI.

Eight other players had hits for EV, including Delaney Hall, Ava Mews, Ava Gehrking, Aubrey Achenbach, Imigyn Stratton, Taylor Mikesell, Chloe Aossey and Hannah Grimm.

Hall’s hit was a double, she also reached base on two walks, scored three times and had three RBI. Mews drove in two runs and Gehrking and Achenbach each knocked in one.

Beating the Eagles for the second time this season, the Bears won for the ninth time in their last 10 games and will take a 16-6 record into Wednesday’s (July 5) Class 1A Region 5 tournament semifinals at home against Tri-County.