In four games against Clayton Ridge/Central last week, SW sophomore Hunter Todd collected five hits and tallied three RBI. He was also responsible for a complete-game  shutout win over the War Eagles, a gem that included seven strikeouts. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Warriors struggle with War Eagles

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The South Winn baseball team played its first  half of four consecutive contests against the Clayton Ridge/Central War Eagles in a doubleheader on Thursday, June 16, in Calmar.

It was a race to third base for Wapsie Valley’s Melody Kayser and West Central’s Brianne Martin. Kayser was called safe on the play; however, due to heavy rain on Tuesday, June 14, the game was called after one inning.

West Central rebounds after tough game against Clayton Ridge

by Chris DeBack

Mental fortitude is a must for any athlete to be successful.

The West Central Blue Devils softball team showed that mental toughness on Thursday, June 16, bouncing back from an 11-1 defeat in the first game of a doubleheader against Clayton Ridge to win, 6-5, in extra innings.

NFV first baseman Cody Baumler leaps to snare this line drive Saturday, robbing a Dike-New Hartford batter of a seemingly sure hit. (Kris Van Sickle photo) 

NFB baseball downs Decorah

North Fayette Valley baseball chalked up a big win Wednesday, beating Decorah, 4-2, on the road.

During the week, the TigerHawks beat Postville, split with Turkey Valley in Jackson Junctio,n and were swept by two high-quality teams at home over the weekend.

NFV third baseman Kaylee Jones slaps the tag on a Starmont runner trying to advance on a ground ball Thursday in Arlington. The ball went to TigerHawk pitcher Madison Monroe, who promptly threw to   first for one out. As the Stars’ runner on second tried to advance, TH first baseman Chloe Johansen alertly relayed the ball to Jones to complete the double play. (Jerry Wadian photo)

TigerHawk SB splits in UIC

By Jerry Wadian

NFV softball split two UIC doubleheaders last week, but came back to go 3-1 at another tough weekend tourney, this time in Manchester.

Jaxson Lundgren was a dominant figure for the West Union swim team Thursday in West Union. Competing in the boys’ 8-&-Under group, Lundgren won the 25 and 50 freestyles and helped the freestyle relay swim to victory. (Chris DeBack photo)

West Union swimmers win triangular

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

 The West Union swim team meet Tuesday, June 14, against Elkader/Strawberry Point rained out and will be made up later.

However, the swimmers were able to get in an unscheduled home triangular against Calmar and Monona/Postville on Thursday, in West Union.

South Winneshiek shortstop Levi Lukes unleashes a throw to first during recent Warrior baseball action. Last week, the freshman compiled four hits, scored six runs, and notched two RBI to help the Warriors pick up three wins, including a clean sweep in tournament play at Riceville. (Zakary Kriener photo)

SW BB caps week with tourney win

By Zakary Kriener

The South Winneshiek baseball team continues to search for consistency, but it was able to cap off the week with a pair of wins over the weekend at the Riceville Tournament.

West Central’s Kenzie Squires tags out Janesville’s Lily Liekweg trying to steal second on a throw from Blue Devils’ catcher Braidyn Burrow. Janesville won the matchup, 9-5. Chris DeBack photo

West Central finishes brutal week at Jesup tourney

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

It was a tough week on the diamond for the West Central Blue Devils. The softball team played eight games in five days, coming away victorious just once.

Swimmers open season with win

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

The West Union swim team racked up its first win of the 2016 season Thursday in Manchester, beating its hosts, 393-291.

The older swimmers and the individual medleys led West Union. Both the boys’ and girls’ 15-18 age groups swept every event in which they participated.

In addition, everyone in the individual medleys (IM) won his or her respective events.

NFV junior Trey Kuhens almost looks like a Greek sculpture as he makes an athletic play to nail a North Linn runner at second Wednesday night in Troy Mills. The TigerHawks beat the seventh-ranked Lynx, 2-0, for the team’s sixth win of the year. (Kris Van Sickle photo)

NFV BB splits with ranked foes

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

North Fayette Valley swept MFL/MM last week to remain undefeated at 4-0 in the UIC. In other action, the TigerHawks split with two Class 1A powers, beating seventh-ranked North Linn but losing to second-ranked Don Bosco.

NFV head softball coach Bob Lape has always preached the importance of the first base position. Chloe Johansen mans the crucial spot this season. While she couldn’t get this Trojan runner Wednesday, the junior was able later to make a nice running catch of a foul pop against the screen on the TigerHawk bench. She also drove in the final two runs of game one with a line shot. (Jerry Wadian photo)

NFV SB sweeps in UIC

The North Fayette Valley softball team swept a pair of conference foes last week. Over the weekend, the TigerHawks won three of four at the Jesup Tournament.