EV softball burns through opponents

Six wins in a row and 12 victories in their last 14 games.

As of last week, the English Valleys softball team has been on fire.

WIN HILLCREST TOURNEY

The Bears were champions of the Hillcrest Academy Invitational Saturday, June 17, at Kalona, improving their record to 13-5.

EV beat Danville by the mercy run rule in three innings, 13-1.

Junior Kennedy Axmear pitched a three-hitter for the Bears and helped herself at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double, homer and two RBI.

Delaney Hall, Abby Westfall, Imigyn Stratton and Ada Mews added two hits apiece for EV in a 12-hit attack.

One of Westfall’s hits was a double and she drove in four runs. Stratton, who tripled, and Mews each knocked in two runs and Hall had one RBI and scored twice.

The Bears also mercy run ruled Hillcrest Academy in five innings, 10-0.

Axmear dominated with both her arm and bat. In the circle, she tossed a two-hit shutout, striking out nine. At the plate, she went 4-for-4 with another home run and three RBI.

Taylor Mikesell singled and doubled to match Axmear’s RBI total, and Westfall and Aubrey Achenbach drove in runs on base hits. Westfall also scored three runs.

Combining her tournament stats, Axmear batted 1.000, finishing 7-for-7 with two home runs and five RBI.

TRI-COUNTY

The Bears pounded out 11 hits to overcome five errors and hold off the Trojans, 10-7, Friday, June 16, at North English.

Only three of Tri-County’s runs were earned off Axmear, who scattered seven hits, walked one and struck out eight.

Hall had three of EV’s hits, including a double, stole two bases and scored twice. Mikesell went 2-for-2 with three RBI and Axmear, Mews, Stratton and Achenbach each contributed RBI hits.

MONTEZUMA

Axmear and Mikesell hit solo home runs to power the Bears to a 13-3 win Wednesday, June 14, over the visiting Braves.

Addison Achenbach added a triple and Hall and Westfall doubled, driving in two runs apiece, and Mews and Aubrey Achenbach chipped in RBI singles.

Axmear went the distance in the circle, holding Montezuma to one earned run on four hits. She walked one and struck out five.

NORTH MAHASKA

Axmear’s arm and bat once again carried the Bears to a 9-3 win over the Warhawks Monday, June 12, at New Sharon.

The hardworking right-hander scattered eight hits over seven innings and struck out 10, supporting her own effort with a double, home run and four RBI.

Westfall, Stratton and Mikesell joined Axmear in the two-hit club. One of Westfall’s hits was an RBI double, and Stratton had an RBI single.

Hall singled and scored twice.

SEASON LEADERS

Through 18 games, Axmear leads EV with a .528 batting average, seven home runs, eight doubles and 23 RBI.

Westfall is hitting .368 with a team-high 25 runs scored, Stratton is carrying a .348 average and Mikesell .333. Hall is second runs scored with 21.

Pitching, Axmear is 13-4 with a 2.13 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 102 innings.