For the second consecutive season, the Spirit Lake Indians hold bragging rights over Okoboji on the softball diamond. The two Dickinson County rivals met on the diamond Tuesday night in Milford and Spirit Lake topped the Pioneers with a 7-2 victory. After trading runs in the first, the Indians took the lead for good in the third on a RBI ground out by Paige Krause to plate Alli Gerking. Gerking, who was one of two players with three hits, came through with a two-RBI single in the fourth to extend the advantage to 4-1. After Mary Eckard scored for Okoboji in the sixth to get within a pair, Spirit Lake notched three more runs, all with two outs, in the seventh. Cara Vale got the win, striking out five and allowing just one earned run. Mikkinzie Peschong took the loss allowing five earned runs and recording one strikeout. Eckard and Abby Taylor led Okoboji with two hits and a run scored each. Gerking and Emily Mercer combined for six hits, three runs driven in and one scored. The five through eight hitters for the Indians scored five runs in the contest. Spirit Lake puts their 2-0 record on the line Wednesday when perennial state tournament qualifier Newell-Fonda comes to town. Okoboji begins Siouxland Conference play with a home game against Sioux Center.
Harris-Lake Park began their season on the right foot, securing a 9-2 win over Storm Lake St. Mary’s in softball action. Mariah Gath went 3-for-5 with three RBI and freshman Macy Gunderson hurled seven innings of five-hit ball allowing just two earned runs and registering four strikeouts for the win.
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn played host to Marcus-Meridan-Cleghorn for their season opener Tuesday. The Hawks would succumb to a 7-4 setback, starting the War Eagle Conference schedule 0-1. HMS travels to Spalding Catholic on Wednesday.
Last year’s Lakes Conference champion Emmetsburg began their season Tuesday with a win, taking down Forest City by a 10-0 final in six innings. Starting pitcher Faith Schmidt did not allow a hit and struck out 11. Offensively, Hilary Pico went 3-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI.
Sibley-Ocheyedan earned a Siouxland Conference win, taking down Sheldon, 3-2.
