Second time through, Linn-Mar breaks through

MARION -- The first time through the order, Mikayla Goemaat owned the Linn-Mar lineup.

The second time through, the Lions broke through.

Linn-Mar scored three times in the fourth inning and two in the fifth to defeat Marion, 5-2, in a non-conference softball game Friday night at the Les Hipple Complex.

"The second time through, we stopped taking defensive swings," said Dionna Jensen, whose two-run single put the Lions (1-0) ahead for good. "We weren't swinging at pitches that could get us out."

Goemaat stymied the Lions through three innings, fanning five of the first nine batters she faced. Then the Lions adjusted.

An error set the table in the fourth, then successive singles by Ellie Rizor, Maggie Rizor, Kortlan Olinger and Jensen put Linn-Mar in front.

A sacrifice fly and a single by the Rizor twins accounted for the fifth-inning runs.

Linn-Mar made five state-tournament appearances between 2003 and 2008, but has been in rebuilding mode since.

"We're going to keep our heads up," Maggie Rizor said. "We know we can only go up from here. We're going to come to practice and games ready to play and knowing we can win."

Marion (0-2) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Haley Vanourney's double ignited the rally, then the Indians got RBIs from Allison Scott (walk) and Lauren Rausch (ground out).

Jensen didn't allow anything more, though. She retired the final nine batters she faced, and shut the Indians down on three pitches in the sixth.

"After they got their two runs, I picked it up," Jensen said. "I gave them better pitches to hit."

Linn-Mar's defense played errorless ball behind Jensen.

AT MARION

Linn-Mar   000 320 0 -- 5  7  0

Marion       002 000 0 -- 2  4  3

Dionna Jensen (W) and Hannah Yearling. Mikayla Goemaat (L) and Paige Perkins.