McElmeel fires no-hitter for JV

     Sami McElmeel pitched a four-inning no-hitter, striking out nine of the 12 batters she faced, as the Monticello junior varsity softball team won the first of its two games last week.

     Monticello provided plenty of run production in both of its victories, overwhelming North Cedar 12-0 in four innings June 25, and then putting up another double-digit figure in a 10-4 triumph over Bellevue June 26. Both games were played at Monticello’s new high school softball field at the Monticello Athletic Complex.

     On Thursday, the Panthers scored four runs in the first inning to gain early control, then added two in the third and six in the fourth. Kayla Simmons batted 3-for-3 in the game, and Jordan Fangmann was 2-for-2. Karle Kramer, Emma Sperfslage and Kylee Van Dorn each scored two runs. Kramer had four stolen bases; Fangmann had three and Sperfslage and Van Dorn had two apiece.

     North Cedar’s only baserunner was due to a two-out error in the second inning, but that runner was thrown out trying to steal.

     The Panthers had 13 hits in the win over Bellevue Friday evening. The varsity had played first in anticipation of a pending storm, but the JV was able to get the game in.

     Going 2-for-3 were Madi Butterworth, Kendra Davis, Fangmann and McElmeel. Davis and McElmeel had two RBIs apiece.

     Brea Stahlberg was the starting pitcher, and got the win, working five innings and striking out five. McElmeel pitched the last two.