GMG catcher Skyler Murty looks to throw to first base for the out against the North Tama Redhawks on Friday, June 19, at Lee Wiges Field in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – The North Tama and GMG softball teams squared off for the second time this season on Friday, June 19, with the host Redhawks again edging the Wolverines by two runs to extend their conference winning streak to three games.

The Iowa Star matchup at Lee Wiges Field ran fast from the outset and remained locked at 0-0 through the first three innings.

In the top of the fourth, the Wolverines managed three solid infield hits in succession but were foiled each time by North Tama’s airtight fielding. Now at bat in the bottom of the inning, Redhawk eighth-grader Kaeler Ewoldt reached first base on an error. Boege then walked both Alaney Sienknecht and Violet Seda to load the bases with zero outs.

Following a timeout for a mound visit, Boege regrouped and struck out Harper Rausch and Emily Cochran. North Tama freshman Morgan Meek then cracked a single deep into center field, sending both Ewoldt and Sienknecht home and making it 2-0. An out at first ended the inning.

Neither team scored the rest of the game and the Redhawks recorded their second victory over the Wolverines this season. Hochstetler took the win for North Tama, pitching a complete game, giving up three hits, walking four, and striking out two batters. Meek recorded the Redhawks only hit plus two RBIs.

GMG ace Riah Boege winds up against the North Tama Redhawks on Friday, June 19, at Lee Wiges Field in Traer. Boege struck out 10 Redhawk batters that evening. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Boege took the loss for the Wolverines in six innings, allowing two runs on one hit, walking four, and striking out 10.

GMG had three hits total – one each from Boege, Grace Mathern, and Tatum Jones.

Later in the team huddle, GMG head coach Lexie Farrell praised her girls for playing “a clean game.” With few errors on either side, there just wasn’t much to capitalize on, she added.

Following the barely one-hour conference clash, North Tama moved to 7-3, while GMG fell to 5-11.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Wolverine ace Riah Boege, second from left, is congratulated on the mound by teammate Addi Elmore after striking out a North Tama batter on Friday, June 19, in Traer. Also pictured, Tatum Jones (far left) and Natalie Upah (2). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

GMG backstop Skyler Murty successfully makes the catch after a North Tama miss at the plate on Friday, June 19, in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Wolverine freshman batter Piper Jones gets ready to swing against the Redhawks on Friday, June 19, in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

GMG sophomore Riah Boege readies for the pitch while at bat against North Tama on Friday, June 19, in Traer. Boege recorded one of the Wolverines’ three hits against the Redhawks. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER