Knights freshman catcher Kenley Hoover looks to throw against the Jesup J-Hawks' steal back on Wednesday, June 10, in La Porte City. Against Central City nearly two weeks later on June 23, Hoover was 3-for-2 at bat, recording two singles and two runs as part of Union’s first win of the 2025-26 season. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

LA PORTE CITY – The Union Knights softball team battled back from an early deficit and erupted for five runs in the sixth inning to secure their first victory of the season on Tuesday, June 23 at home, defeating the Central City Wildcats 8-5 in a hard-fought contest.

Central City came out swinging in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of a pair of pitching miscues and a defensive error to jump out to a quick 3-0 lead. A run-scoring single by the Wildcats and a costly error in right field allowed Central City to seize early momentum.

The Knights responded in the second inning when Austin Kirby helped spark the offense. Kirby singled, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Kenley Hoover, and eventually scored on a Central City fielding error to cut the deficit to 3-1.

After Central City added two more runs in the third inning on a clutch two-run single, the Knights steadily chipped away at the lead.

Paige Pipho provided a spark in the third inning with a bunt single and stolen base, though Union was unable to capitalize. In the fourth, Hoover and Haylee Hegdahl delivered back-to-back singles, and Hoover aggressively raced home to make it 5-2.

Union freshman Paige Pipho pictured at bat against the Jesup J-Hawks back on Wednesday, June 10, in La Porte City. On Tuesday, June 23 against Central City, Pipho helped lead the Knights to their first win of the season – her single in the bottom of the sixth sent Charli Weber home, giving Union its first lead of the game. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The Knights continued their comeback in the fifth inning. Avery Weber singled, stole second, and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Emily Anton, narrowing the Wildcats’ advantage to just two runs at 5-3.

Meanwhile, Kirby settled in on the mound. After escaping a bases-loaded jam in the second inning, she tossed a perfect fourth inning and helped lead strong defensive efforts in both the fifth and sixth innings. In the sixth, Kirby struck out one batter and the Knights retired Central City in order, setting the stage for a dramatic rally.

Union’s offense exploded in the bottom of the sixth.

Kirby and Hoover opened the inning with consecutive singles. A passed ball allowed Kirby to score, trimming the deficit to 5-4. Moments later, Charli Weber delivered an RBI single to tie the game at 5-5.

The Knights weren’t finished.

After Avery Weber was hit by a pitch, Pipho lined a go-ahead RBI single to score Charli Weber and give Union its first lead of the game. Central City intentionally walked Anton to load the bases, but the strategy backfired as Jewel Paine drew a walk to force in a run. Kirby followed with another bases-loaded walk, bringing home Pipho and extending the Knights’ lead to 8-5.

Holding a three-run advantage entering the seventh, Union closed the door. Central City managed a leadoff walk, but the Knights’ defense stood tall. The final out came on a ground ball fielded by shortstop Anton and thrown to first baseman Paine, sealing the 8-5 victory.

Kirby paced the Knights both at the plate and in the circle, while Hoover, Hegdahl, Avery Weber, Pipho, and Charli Weber all contributed key hits during the comeback effort.

Following the game, head coach Zach Hoover praised the team’s determination.

“It was a complete hard-fought game that they worked hard for,” Hoover said. “It was exciting to get that first win!”