Prairie softball smashes Washington win streak

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Washington's eight-game softball winning streak turned into consecutive losses last night in a doubleheader at Cedar Rapids Prairie, 4-3 and 9-0 in five innings.

The Hawks wasted no time in getting on the board in the opener when Lauren Kuch slapped one to centerfield with two on. Halle Lueck and Gabrielle Carter crossed the plate for a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

Warrior third baseman Jessica Puk closed the gap to 2-1 by driving in Hannah Schroeder in the top of the third inning.

Prairie pitcher Natalie Halvorson went the distance, striking out seven batters, but appeared to be tiring in the top of the sixth when three straight Warriors reached base. Emily Oler drove in in Puk with a single, then Anne Riley sent Payton Bruner across the plate to give Washington a 3-2 lead.

Prairie answered, though, when Lueck scored Amanda Stecklein and Kristin Wahlert with a deep double in the bottom of the sixth.

Lueck's diving catch of a Puk blooper in shallow center with two outs and a runner of third ended the opener.

In the nightcap, the Hawks scored four runs in the third inning highlighted by Carters' triple.

Prairie then went through its entire batting order in the fourth inning. Natalie Rumer, Kuch and Wahlert drove in runs, and Prairie led 9-0 at the end of the frame.

Bria Lenten of Washington drove in Schroeder to make the score 9-1 in the top of the fifth, but Prairie was determined to end the game early.

Lueck led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a single, then Carter launched Oler's first pitch over the centerfield fence for a walk-off home run and an 11-1 mercy rule victory.

Prairie improved to 10-5 with the sweep. Washington's record dipped to 9-4.

l Comments: ben.ross@thegazettecompany.com