North Tama pitcher Addison Hochstetler snags an infield pop-up early in the Monday, July 6, Class 1A Region 3 first-round game against Baxter at Lee Wiges Field in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – The Baxter Bolts failed to spark following an early string of runs by the North Tama softball team here Monday night, leading to a 4-0 Class 1A Region 3 first-round shutout victory for the Redhawks.

North Tama got out to an early lead against the Bolts, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first, including when senior Gabriella Seda – who reached second on a double – scored on a sacrifice bunt by eighth-grader Kaeler Ewoldt. Ewoldt reached first safely on an error. Freshman Alaney Sienknecht subsequently made it to first, after which junior Violet Seda singled to the outfield, driving in both Sienknecht and Ewoldt.

The Redhawks’ fourth and final run of the game came in the bottom of the second. Gabriella Seda walked, quickly stole second and then third. Ewoldt hit a ground ball that slipped past the Bolts defense, allowing Seda to score.

Neither team scored again for the remainder of the game.

In the top of the seventh, Sienknecht fielded a grounder at third and threw to Violet Seda at first for the initial out. Baxter’s second batter reached first on an error before the third batter hit another ground ball directly at Sienknecht, who threw to junior Harper Rausch at second for the force out. Rausch then threw to first to complete the game-ending double play in the nearly 90-minute game.

Redhawk eighth-grader Kaeler Ewoldt rounds first base on a hit to the outfield while assistant coach Seth Seda cheers and directs her forward during North Tama’s first-round regional victory over Baxter on Monday, July 6, in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Full statistics were not available for North Tama in time for publication. Hochstetler, a senior playing her final home game at Lee Wiges Field, earned the win for the Redhawks, pitching a complete game and allowing just two hits and no runs.

Baxter sophomore Blaire Jutting took the loss, pitching six innings and allowing six hits and four runs while walking four and striking out five.

With the win, North Tama (11-7) advanced to the Class 1A Region quarterfinal round and was scheduled to face Ankeny Christian (21-3) this Wednesday, July 8, at 6 p.m. (note time change) at North Polk Middle School in Alleman. Baxter ends the season 4-22.

Following the game Monday evening, North Tama set off a round of celebratory fireworks from the nearby youth field. Under head coach Madonna Madorin and assistant coach Seth Seda, the Redhawks are currently on track to record the program’s best season since 2016-17 when they went 15-10.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama eighth-grader Josie “Mike” Monat successfully fields a smack to center field for the out late in the game against Baxter on Monday, July 6, in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Junior Harper Rausch pictured at second base during the Class 1A Region 3 first-round game against Baxter played this past Monday at Lee Wiges Field in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Redhawk ace pitcher Addison Hochstetler winds up against the Baxter Bolts on Monday, July 6, in Traer. Hochstetler, a senior, pitched her final home game that evening on Lee Wiges Field. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER