The North Butler softball team will take on fellow Top of Iowa East member Rockford in a Class 1A Region 2 first round on Monday. The Bearcats and Warriors split their first two meetings this season as the Bearcats won 6-2 and the Warriors won 13-10.
North Butler (4-18) enters off a 14-8 win over AGWSR in their regular season finale on June 28th.
Head Coach Austin Guerrero says their recent meeting with Warriors was competitive and game-reps have been a key source in team growth.
“Offensively, it was a thrill to see us put the bat on the ball as much as we did, in the back and forth game, we had a big inning a couple times,” says Guerrero. “They had multiple big innings. It was just a game that got away from us with, unfortunately, a few too many walks. If we can take that bat on ball approach up at the plate as we move forward, I like our chances. The best thing for our girls all season has been to continue to get game-like reps and get these games in and continue to learn by playing the game.”
Freshman Kamri Groen in 21 appearances in the circle has stepped up for the Bearcats with 95 strikeouts, a 6.07 ERA and a conference best 107 assists.
Guerrero says Groen is helping build the foundation for the future of the program.
“Being a freshman, she’s one of our leaders on our team, and that’s not easy to do as an underclassman. She’s excited, she shows up and puts the time in, puts the effort in, and girls see that. She’s one that’s helping us set that foundation of what we want our program to be. I look forward to what she can bring to us, not only for the rest of this season, but for years to come.”
Rockford (6-16) in their last regular season game lost to Lake Mills on July 3rd. Sophomore Hannah Hillman leads the Warriors with 73 strikeouts, a 7.16 ERA and adds 11 RBI’s in 19 games.
The playoff rematch will air on 104.9 KLMJ with pregame coverage at 6:40 p.m. followed by the first pitch at 7:00 p.m. in Allison.
