Keota softball team on winning streak

THORNBURG — It has been a long journey, but the more sweat and tears put into that journey, the more fun the rewards are.

The Keota Eagles were jubilant, dancing and jumping on the softball field celebrating a victory over Tri-County, 7-3. With Monday’s 10-7 win over Iowa Valley, Keota is ringing up hits forcing South Iowa Cedar League opponents to wring their hands over the Eagles two wins in a row. Both were on the road.

“My dad (Bill Kindred) has been helping with my swing so instead of swinging a golf club, I swing a bat,” Taylor Kindred said after her seventh-inning home run cleared the fence in right field. “I guess it is helping me by keeping my hands in front of the ball.”

Kindred knew it was out of the park as soon as she hit it. What she hasn’t known is who the softball coach will be. She will be a senior this fall and has her third different softball coach in Tony Baughman. “He gives us confidence and believes in us.”

While Kindred put the icing on the win, Macie McDonald was the workhorse that pulled the Eagles to victory. In the batter’s box, McDonald went 3-for-4. She brought home two Eagles runs and scored one herself. In the pitcher’s circle, McDonald gave up nine hits, a walk, hit a batter and struck out six.

McDonald was the winning pitcher for Monday’s 10-7 triumph over Iowa Valley and she was 2-for-4 at the plate.

Keota is 2-14 and Tri-County is 3-16 overall. Both teams are 2-13 in the league.

Mackenzie Jackson clobbered a couple of doubles for the Eagles. Kimberly Clarahan went 2-for-4, scored twice with two runs batted in. Nicole Clarahan was 2-for-4 with one run batted in.

After the first win, the Eagles are playing more as a team, Kindred said, and her third coach at Keota is helping with that.

“I think the kids are learning that they are the ones who matter,” Baughman said. “After a lot of adversity, they have realized that they can do it.”