Southeast Valley’s variation softball team are back on the wining side of the ball after traveling to Iowa Falls on Thursday night for a non-conference match-up with the Cadets of Iowa Falls-Alden. The Jaguars defeated the Cadets by a score of 10-6 in an impressive team win. 

The Jags struck first in their half of the first inning plating two. Things started quickly with lead off hitter, senior Ellie Nolte, dropping in a single to the left field side followed by a well hit double off the bat of sophomore Camryn Lane. Nolte and Lane would both sit in scoring position  at second and third when junior infielder Chloe Lambert joined them on the bases after earning the walk. Jordyn Rowley stepped into the box hitting a single of her own to the left side, scoring both Nolte and Lane. Nolte and Lane would each score again in the second after the duo hit back to back singles. This time, however, it would be sophomore Rian Schlief’s turn to get a pair of RBIs. Schlief’s double to right center would score Nolte from second and Lane from third, giving the Jags their third and fourth runs of the game. Southeast Valleys next run would be brought across in the fourth inning after Lambert reached first on the error by the Cadet catcher. After stealing second on a passed ball, senior Alex Kitchen would bring her in after hitting a single to the right side. Lambert would score again in the fifth after reaching second on a laser double over the center fielder’s head and trading spots with Rian Schlief who would tally her second double of the game. 

The Cadets wouldn’t go down without a fight, though, coming within just one run of the Jaguars by the end of the fourth inning where they scored three runs on four hits. The Jaguars would respond in the seventh inning, giving them four insurance runs in order to seal the win. Senior, Leilah Olson started the inning with a lead off double roped down the first base line to give the Jaguars the lead off runner. Southeast Valley strung together four singles in order to score four runs. Senior second baseman (flex player running for Olson) would reach third after stealing second and moving to third on Nolte’s fourth single of the night. In a first and third situation, Camryn Lane would lay day a beautiful bunt combined with incredible speed to reach first safely, loading the bases for Chloe Lambert. Lambert would score Scott from third on a shot hit right at and unable to he handled by the Iowa Falls first baseman. Nolte would score on a base hit single from Rowley and Lane would score after a walk to Rian Schlief. Lane’s run would be the last of the game for Southeast Valley. 

In the 10-4 victory, the Jaguars tallied a total of 19 hits in 43 plate appearances. Rian Schlief started and threw four complete innings, earning the win. Schlief had two strike outs and retired nine of the 19 batters she faced with the help of her defense behind her. Chloe Lambert took over in the fifth to earn the save. Lambert saw 14 batters and struck out two while forcing the Cadet offense to hit into her defense behind her. 

The Jags are now 13-5 on the season.