Members of the North Tama softball team cheer as senior Gabriella Seda crosses home plate on Friday, June 5, in Traer after hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth against the visiting Rockford Warriors. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – An explosive sixth inning supercharged by senior Gabriella Seda’s three-run homer helped the North Tama softball team secure a 6-2 conference win over Rockford last Friday evening here at Lee Wiges Field.

Rockford got off to an early lead, scoring one run in the top of the second before senior starting pitcher Hannah Hillman cracked a home run over the left field fence in the fourth to put the Warriors up 2-0. After a scoreless fifth by both teams, the Redhawks engineered a comeback, starting with two base hits by juniors Violet Seda and Harper Rausch. Senior ace pitcher Addison Hochstetler then stepped up to the plate, hitting a double that sent both Seda and Rausch home to tie the score, 2-2.

With two outs and Hochstetler at third, eighth-grader Josie “Mike” Monat hit a double deep into the left field fence, sending Hoch home. Fellow eighth-grader and leadoff hitter Kaeler Ewoldt then singled, moving Monat to third.

Leading now 3-2, senior shortstop Gabriella Seda answered the Warriors’ earlier dinger with one of her own – blasting a home run over the fence just right of center field. With Ewoldt and Monat blazing the trail in front of her, Seda, a state track qualifier, sprinted her way home to the delight of her father, assistant coach Seth Seda, who was jumping and cheering from the first-base coach’s box.

Rockford failed to score in the top of the seventh and the game ended with right fielder Monat catching a fly for the third out.

Redhawk senior shortstop Gabriella Seda throws the ball to first base for the out on Friday, June 5, at Lee Wiges Field in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Hochstetler took the win for North Tama, pitching all seven innings. She struck out three, walked one, and allowed two runs on 16 hits.

The Redhawks had eight hits total, including two from Rausch and one apiece from Ewoldt, Hochstelter, Monat, Alaney Sienknecht, Gabriella Seda, and Violet Seda. Gabriella Seda led with three RBIs.

Hannah Hillman took the loss for the Warriors, allowing six runs on seven hits, striking out seven, walking one, and hitting two batters.

North Tama moved to 4-2 with the win; Rockford fell to 2-6.

North Tama eighth-grader Josie “Mike” Monat gives a thumbs up after safely advancing to third in the bottom of the sixth inning against Rockford on Friday, June 5, in Traer. Monat along with fellow eight-graders Emily Cochran and Kaeler Ewoldt comprise the Redhawk outfield crew this season. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER