Golden Hawks blast West Branch

Third-ranked Mid-Prairie scored early and often as it defeated visiting West Branch 13-3 in six innings in a Cedar Valley Conference game at Carr-Vincent-Gould Softball Field on Tuesday night.

The Golden Hawks (21-7, 9-2 CVC) jumped on top right away with three runs in the first inning. After West Branch (14-14, 6-5 CVC) scored three runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game, Mid-Prairie answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame and four more runs in the fifth inning to break the game open.

Senior Mariah Swartzentruber went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs to lead Mid-Prairie, which had 17 hits in the game. Freshman Alex Rath went 3-for-5 and drove in a run. Freshman Emma Troyer went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, and senior Felicia Schulty was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Senior Maddie Kaalberg went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs, and freshman Amber Kral was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Senior Erika Murphy hit a home run, her sixth of the season, and drove in two runs. Senior Mallory McArtor had a double and an RBI in the game, and sophomore Taylor Kurtz also hit a double.

Kurtz was the winning pitcher. She gave up three runs on six hits in six innings. She struck out three batters and did not issue a walk.