Mary McDonough threw a complete game at East Buchanan on Tuesday, July 5. She gave up seven runs on eight hits with tree walks and four strike outs in the Class 1A Region 3 first round matchup. 

WC's early playoff exit can't mar another positive season

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Once again, the West Central girls’ softball team found itself with a first-round exit from the Regional playoffs.

East Buchanan defeated the Blue Devils, 7-2, on Tuesday, July 5; however, another early exit shouldn’t overshadow the true progress the program continues to make under head coach Nick Robinson.

For the first time in recent history, the softball team finished with a winning record in Upper Iowa Conference play. It swept two conference opponents this year — Edgewood-Colesburg, for the second year in a row, and Postville.

Abby Reichter’s face shows her determination as she powers her way through the water at the West Union Aquatic Center Tuesday, July 5. With Reichter’s help in the girls’ 13-14 age group, West Union swimmers won both ends of the triangular against Sumner and Elkader/Strawberry Point. (Jerry Wadian photo)

Swimmers win 2

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

The West Union swim team completed the regular season Tuesday, July 5, by winning a home triangular. Saturday, the season ended with the Conference Meet in Waukon.

West Union won both meets Tuesday, sinking Sumner, 392-286, and Elkader/Strawberry Point, 379-297. Sumner edged Elk./St. Pt., 336-324.

NFV catcher Tate Hovden comes barreling into third base during the game Tuesday, July 5, against Osage. The junior drilled three hits, including this triple, scored three times and drove in a run as NFV split the doubleheader. (Kris Van Sickle photo) 

TigerHawk baseball ends regular season

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

North Fayette Valley ended the regular baseball season last week with a pair of wins.

The TigerHawks split with Osage Tuesday (July 5) in West Union and walloped Postville in a makeup game Wednesday on the Pirates’ home diamond.

Everyone at the Class 3A playoff game between NFV and New Hampton knew this was going to be a close play at the plate. The TigerHawks’ Marrah Burrack tried to score from third on   an infield grounder, but the Chickasaw first baseman’s relay to home in the fourth inning resulted in an inning-ending out. Burrack looked shocked at the call, and NFV head coach Bob Lape protested. However the umpire, who was in perfect position, stood by his call. (Jerry Wadian photo)

Too many 2-out hits doom softball

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

The visitors from New Hampton simply made too many two-out hits for North Fayette Valley to overcome in Wednesday’s Class 3A softball playoff game.

The Chickasaws won, 13-3, but their first eight runs came in the first three innings, and all scored after there were two outs in the inning, frequently with two strikes on the batter.

South Winneshiek pitcher Taylor Bucheit hurls a pitch toward the batter during recent Warrior softball action. The super sophomore eclipsed the 300-strikeouts milestone for the season earlier last week, a statistic that has helped propel the Warrior softball team to a 20-win season. (Zakary Kriener photo)

South Winn softball closes regular season with 21 wins

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

            The South Winneshiek softball team wrapped up its 2016 regular season campaign, picking up three wins last week to give them an overall record of 21-12 as they head into Regional play.

            The Warriors began the week Tuesday, June 28, with an 8-5 win over the Decorah Vikings, outscoring their opponents 5-1 over the final three innings to help seal the victory.

South Winneshiek second baseman Alex Holthaus applied the tag on his opponent during one of his team’s recent wins, a feat that help the young Warrior team reach a current record of 13-16. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Warrior regular season end in sight

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The end of the 2016 baseball regular season is in sight for the South Winneshiek Warriors as they rounded out the last week with a pair of wins at home.

            Monday, June 27, the Warriors played hosts to the Postville Pirates in Calmar. South Winn claimed the victory in game one by a score of 14-4 in a game where the Warriors plated at least one run per inning throughout the game.

West Central eighth grader Rosita Hepperle makes a great catch moving to her left to end an inning and keep the Starmont Stars from scoring a couple runs. 

West Central finishes above .500 in conference

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

For the first time in recent history, the West Central Blue Devils girls’ softball team finished with an above .500 record in Upper Iowa Conference play at 10-8.

Overall, it is the second year in a row that the Blue Devils finished with double-digit wins; their final regular season record is 12-23.

The girls obtained an above .500 record in conference play by sweeping Central Elkader Monday night, 11-0 and 15-3, and splitting with Starmont, 8-6 and 15-4.

West Union’s Ali Russler pushes off as she starts the second leg of the 50 backstroke Thursday against Waukon, a meet the West Union swim team won by a mere eight points. Competing in the 50 freestyle Tuesday, June 28, against Decorah, Russler set a personal-best time. (Jerry Wadian photo)

Swimmers edge Waukon by 8

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

The West Union swim team faced a third straight loss at home Thursday, but it pulled out an eight-point win over Waukon, 342-334.