The Dike-New Hartford and Grundy Center summer sports teams split their games in Dike Monday. The Wolverine softball team won 8-0 and the Spartan baseball team won 7-2.
In the softball game, the Wolverines started hot offensively with three runs each in the first and second innings. They added one run each in the fourth and sixth innings, and held strong defensively throughout. Head Coach Tianna Butteris on the team’s defensive strength, particularly the infield.
“I can move my middle infielders around anywhere,” Butteris says. “I’ve got Karsyn Nolan, who can play pretty much anywhere in the infield. I’ve got a lot of girls that are really versatile and I can put them anywhere. And same with Natalie Folkerts. I had her play second base for the first time. I think she did a great job. So they’re ready to do whatever they need to do. And I think that’s very solid to have girls that are willing to play positions that they don’t usually play.”
Pitcher Faith Gray gave up two hits with no walks and four strikeouts. DNH (7-2, 3-1 NICL-C) will return to action Wednesday at #8 (2A) South Hardin. Grundy Center (3-7, 0-3 NICL-W) will host Union Wednesday.
In the baseball game, the Spartans carried a 1-0 lead into the fourth inning, where they stretched the advantage with three runs. The Wolverines responded in the fifth by cutting the deficit to 4-2, but the Spartans finished strong with three runs in the seventh. The Spartan pitching staff, including starter Tate Jirovsky, Judd Jirovsky and Britt Meyer, combined to strike out 12 batters while issuing three walks. Ryker Thoren had three hits, and Judd Jirovsky had two hits and four RBIs. Grundy Center (4-3, 2-2 NICL-W) will be at Aplington-Parkersburg Tuesday. Dike-New Hartford (5-2, 3-1 NICL-C) will be at South Hardin Wednesday.
