The Union Knights softball team took on a tough hitting Sumner-Fredericksburg team on Thursday, July 2 in La Porte City and lost 8-2. The Knights scored 1 run in the first inning when Peyton Parker singled, advanced to 2nd on Kaylee Sherwood’s single and scored on Ashley Carey’s RBI single. The Cougars scored 2 runs in the 3rd inning to take a 2-1 lead. In the 5th inning they scored 4 more runs on errors and hits to take a 6-1 lead. Union scored 1 run in the bottom of the 5th inning when Haylee Keune reached on base by a fielder’s choice, went to 2nd on a pass ball, and scored on a Kaitlin Holschlag single to make it 6-2. Sumner-Fredericksburg scored 2 more runs in the 7th inning to make the final 8-2. The Cougars scored 8 runs on 14 hits and 2 Knight’s errors. It was the 2nd most runs given up this year by the Knights in a game as it was evident playing 6 games in 4 days took a toll on the young Knights 7 sophomores, 2 freshman, and 1 senior starter. The Knights fall to 13-13 on the season.

In the last regular season game of the year, and the7th game in 5 days due to make up games, the Union Knights softball team scored the second most runs in a year in a game and defeated the Denver Cyclones 12-1 in a day game at Denver on July 3. Union scored 2 runs in the first inning when Kaitlin Holschlag reached on base by error and then scored on Peyton Parker’s triple. It was her 7th triple of the year, which leads the conference and class 3A. The Knights scored another run in the 2nd inning to take a 3-0 lead on bunt singles by Maggie Driscol and Cierra Nolan and a walk by Kaitlin Holschlag. Union broke the game open with 5 runs in the 3rd inning on 6 hits to go ahead 8-1. Denver scored 1 run in the 5th inning on 2 singles. Union scored 4 more runs in the last two innings to win the game 12-1. In the game every Knight started reached on base by a hit. The offense leaders were Kaitlin Holschlag who was 2 for 4 with a walk including 2 doubles, she was on base 4 out of 5 times. She leads the team in batting average, hits, doubles and stolen bases. Maggie Driscol was 3 out of 4, scoring 3 runs. Ashley Carey and Haylee Brown were 2 for 4. The Knight’s sophomore pitcher Peyton Parker allowed 3 hits while striking out 4 batters. The defense helped her out by making great plays and only allowing runners on in 3 innings. Cierra Nolan had 5 put out catches and 2 assists. The Knights wrap up the regular season 14-13 and in 3rd place in the NICL conference with a 8-6 record. They host Monticello in a class 3A regional quarterfinal game at 7:00 in La Porte City.

Earlier results

The Union Knights softball team dropped a home contest, 2-0, to Wapsie Valley on June 25. The game was a battle between pitchers and tough defense as only 2 runs were scored the entire game as both teams had a combined 15 base runners. Wapsie Valley scored 1 run in the 4th inning on an error and 2 singles. They scored another run in the 6th inning on a base hit and sacrifice bunt. Union had 7 hits, but could move any around to score as many pop ups and 5 strikeouts. Getting hits for the Knights were: Kaitlin Holschlag, Justine Nagel. Maggie Driscol, Kaylee Sherwood, Hailee Brown, and Haylee Keune. Peyton Parker pitches all 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits, and striking out 4. The Knights drop to 13-7 on the year.

On Monday, June 29 the Union Knights Softball team traveled to Waterloo and took on the NICL Conference leader Columbus Sailors in a varsity double header. The Knights played right with the ranked Sailors inning for inning, but once again could not get on the scoreboard and lost 2-0. The game went back and forth between 2 good pitchers and solid defenses making great plays. Jordyn Nagel through out 3 Sailor base runners trying to steal second base. Peyton Parker had 7 strikeouts for the Knights holding the top hitting team in the conference to 5 hits. Brooke Craig had 7 strikeouts for the Sailors and only allowing 5 hits. In the 6th inning Columbus took the lead when All-state senior Brooke Craig, a UNI recruit, hit a 2 run homerun to right center. Getting hits for the Knights were Kaitlin Holschlag (2), Kaylee Sherwood, and Ashley Carey. Earning walks were Peyton Parker (2) and Cierrs Nolan.

In the 2nd game Columbus jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the 1st inning on 3 hits and a home run. They then scored 4 more runs in the 3rd inning on 2 hits and 2 errors, to take a 7-0 lead. The Sailors scored their final 2 runs in the 4th inning to go ahead 9-0. Union fought back and scored 2 runs in the 5th inning Cierra Nolan singled, went to 2nd on Hailee Brown’s sacrifice bunt, advance to 3rd when Kaitlin Holschlag reached on base by error, and scored on Justine Nagel’s infield grounder. Peyton Parker singled and then Holschlag scored on Maggie Driscol’s single. In the game Peyton Parker pitched the first 3 innings and gave up 7 runs. Justine Nagel pitched the last 3 innings allowing 2 runs. Jordyn Nagel through out 1 base runners trying to steal 2nd base. Kaylee Sherwood and Kaitlin Holschlag each had 2 hits. Peyton Parker, Maggie Driscol, Ashley Carey, Cierra Nolan, and Hailee Brown each had 1 hit a piece. Union falls to 13-9 on the year.

The Union Knights softball team traveled to Dike on June 30 and took on the Dike New-Hartford Wolverines and came away with a 1-0 lost. The only run came in the 3rd inning by the Wolverines. Union had 8 batters on base but could not get in any to score. Getting hits in the game were Kaitlin Holschlag (2), Peyton Parker (2) and Ashley Carey. Jordyn Nagle was on base 2 times with a walk and on base by error. The defense was solid only allowing 4 hits and 1 error. Peyton Parker pitched for the Knights allowing 1 run on 4 hits and striking out 5. . The Knights drop to 13-10 for the season.

On Wednesday, July 1 the Union Knights softball team traveled to Cedar Rapids and played in the Marion invitational. In the 1st game the Knights took on the Cedar Rapids Washington Warriors and lost 4-2. The Warriors scored 3 runs in the 3rd inning to take a 3-0 lead. They added another run in the 5th inning to go ahead 4-0. The Knights battled back by scoring 2 runs in the 6th inning and stranded on runner at 3rd base, Kaitlin Holshlag started off the inning by getting a single. She moved to 2nd on Justine Nagle’s bunt single. Peyton Parker hit a double to score Holschlag. Kaylee Sherwood grounded out in the infield to score Nagle. Parker was stranded at 3rd. In the bottom of the 7th inning the Knights were able to get a runner on base and moved her to 3rd, but was not able to score as the final was 4-2. Getting hits in the game were Peyton Parker (2), Kaitlin Holschlag, Justine Nagel, Jordyn Nagle, and Ceirra Nolan. Peyton Parker pitched all 7 innings allowing 6 hits and striking out 2. Peyton Parker pitched for the Knights allowing 5 hits while striking out 5. Union dropped to 13-12 for the season.