Liberty stymies Prairie in an MVC softball sweep

Lightning, Hawks are two of the state’s most prolific dwelling run hitting groups, however not a single ball leaves the yard Tuesday at Prairie

Iowa Metropolis Liberty assistant coach Emily Stumpff high-fives Ella McLaughlin (3) after her base hit throughout the first recreation of their Mississippi Valley Convention doubleheader with Cedar Rapids Prairie on Wednesday. The Lightning gained each video games, 8-2 and 5-0. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS — They’re two of the highest dwelling run-hitting groups within the state.

So, naturally, Iowa Metropolis Liberty and Cedar Rapids Prairie didn’t clear the fence all evening. Didn’t come shut.

Class 5A Tenth-ranked Liberty proved more proficient at manufacturing runs — and capitalizing on alternatives — and swept the Thirteenth-ranked Hawks 8-2 and 5-0 in a Mississippi Valley Convention softball doubleheader Tuesday evening at Prairie Excessive Faculty.

“I used to be capable of get right into a rhythm and see what their hitters may do,” stated Kennedy Daugherty, who pitched a one-hit shutout within the nightcap.

“I trusted our protection quite a bit. Now we have actually good protection, and all of us have one another’s backs.”

Till a few seventh-inning errors within the ultimate recreation, Liberty (19-3 general, 15-1 MVC) made the entire routine performs, plus numerous extraordinary performs.

In brief, the Lightning performed all-around profitable softball. They obtained forward within the first inning of each video games, obtained some well timed hits and got here up with defensive performs when the Hawks (13-7, 11-3) threatened.

Prairie stranded 11 baserunners within the opener, seven within the finale.

“Each of our pitchers threw nicely once more tonight,” Liberty Coach Mike Morrison stated. “We play at a unique tempo than most groups do. Our catchers name the entire pitches, so we play quick. Groups want to regulate to our tempo.”

In Recreation 1, Liberty batted round within the first inning and once more within the fourth, leaping to an 8-0 lead.

Kinsley Robertson capped a three-run first inning with a two-run single, and Brynlee Slockett and Daugherty every drove in a pair of runs because the Bolts tallied 5 occasions within the fourth.

Robertson (9-1) scattered six hits, putting out six and strolling six.

Within the nightcap, Liberty posted single tallies within the first, fourth and sixth, then tacked on two within the seventh.

Haileigh Smith was 3-for-4 within the finale and drove dwelling a pair of runs.

Daugherty (9-2) gave up a first-inning single to Jensyn Jones, however that was it. She struck out six and walked 4.

“She will get higher and higher every evening,” Morrison stated. “She’s extra assured and has the power to maneuver on. She’s extra at peace; she’s simply pitching.”

Prairie entered — and exited — Tuesday with 22 dwelling runs, which ranks second within the state. Liberty is tied for seventh with 18.

The sweep, coupled with Linn-Mar’s break up with Western Dubuque, moved the Lightning right into a first-place tie with Linn-Mar within the Mississippi Division.

Iowa Metropolis Liberty 8-5, Cedar Rapids Prairie 2-0

AT C.R. PRAIRIE

Recreation 1

Iowa Metropolis Liberty 300 500 0 — 8 9 0

C.R. Prairie 000 100 1 — 2 6 2

Kinsley Robertson and Mischa Reiners. Dani Klees and Jensyn Jones. W — Robertson (9-1). L — Klees (7-3).

Recreation 2

Iowa Metropolis Liberty 100 101 2 — 5 10 2

C.R. Prairie 000 000 0 — 0 1 0

Kennedy Daugherty and Ava Donnelly. Jaiden Goerdt and Jensyn Jones. W — Daugherty (9-2). L — Goerdt (4-3).

Feedback: jeff.linder@thegazette.com