The North Butler softball and baseball teams will make a trip over to Top of Iowa East rival West Fork for a pair of games on Monday.
The North Butler softball team (1-3) will look to spark their offense after dropping three straight competitive games to Newman Catholic (1-0), New Hampton (3-1) and #9 (2A) Central Springs (2-1) since a season opening win over Hampton-Dumont-CAL on May 27. Kamri Groen leads the Bearcats in the circle with 26 innings pitched and 29 strikeouts.
Bearcats Head Coach Austin Guerrero on important areas of execution facing the Warhawks.
“That’s kind of a pattern of a lot of our games early this season and will be throughout our year, playing ranked opponents. The Top of Iowa East is a tough matchup each and every night, you go somewhere, you play tough teams,” says Guerrero. “We go to West Fork for a rivalry. We know Libby Trewin will be in the circle. She’s a heck of a pitcher, player of the year, last year for our side of the conference. We know she’s going to throw strikes and we know she’s going to try to work ahead. For us, it’s just staying composed, battling when they put their best foot forward and controlling the things we can control. Putting the bat on the ball, playing clean defensively will give you a chance in any game.”
The #7 (2A) West Fork softball team (3-0) earned wins against Clear Lake, Iowa Falls-Alden and Northwood-Kensett last week. Run production for the Warhawks has increased each game they’ve played with a season high of 10 runs against Northwood-Kensett on Friday. Libby Trewin in the circle last week had multiple top performances including a complete game with 15 strikeouts against Iowa Falls-Alden.
First pitch is at 6:00 p.m.
The West Fork baseball team (1-3) won 10-0 over Iowa Falls-Alden on Thursday and fell 8-4 to Northwood-Kensett on Friday. Pitchers Ashyr Wiseman and Zander Hansen each have 11 strikeouts to lead the staff.
Warhawks Head Coach Kayden Ames on settling in at the plate and recent homestand.
“The hitting wasn’t quite there, which can be expected the first few games of the year. Baseball is a streaky game, so getting those live at bats. We try our best in practice to get those live at bats, but nothing can quite simulate what you feel when you’re in the box. Really it’s pound the zone, make plays and just be aggressive at the plate. As long as we’re aggressive and looking to drive the baseball, then good things will happen,” says Ames. “It’s just a sense of pride that you have when you’re playing on your home field. The crowds kinda behind you a little more then when you’re on the road. I like playing at home and I think the guys do too.”
The North Butler baseball team (1-4) has lost four straight including an 11-9 loss to Central Springs on Friday since a season opening win over Rockford on May 23. Brody Wangsness is the Bearcats pitching ace with a 1-1 record and 27 strikeouts.
First pitch is at 7:30 p.m.
