By Tom Anderson, Head Coach

The Iola-Scandinavia softball team beat Manawa, 10-7, in a CWC-East match-up on Tuesday, April 29. It was the first conference loss for the Wolves, and it was on the night that Manawa debuted their new softball field at the high school.

The win improved the Thunderbirds’ conference record to 3-3 and their overall record to 7-4.  The Wolves’ conference record stands at 6-1, and their overall record is 9-2.

After Iola-Scandinavia built a 7-0 lead by scoring two runs in the second inning and five runs in the third inning, Manawa responded with seven runs on six hits and took advantage of two T-Bird errors in the bottom of the third inning to tie the score, 7-7. Unfazed, the Thunderbirds regained the lead with two runs in the fourth inning and added an insurance run in the seventh inning while holding the Wolves scoreless for the rest of the game.

Iola-Scandinavia outhit Manawa 15-9. Rayanne Clendenning, Brylee Jueds, and Libby Maus each had three hits and a double for the T-Birds. Clendenning and Maus each drove in three runs.  Maya Munoz and Emma Printz each had two hits.

For Manawa, Kelsey Behnke, Lily Krenke, and Briley Rosin each had two hits, including a two-run double by Rosin.

Pitcher Rayanne Clendenning went the distance to earn the win for the Thunderbirds. Clendenning had no walks and six strikeouts. The T-Bird defense did commit four errors in the game.

For the Wolves, Olivia Zielke started the game and pitched 2⅓ innings. Kelsey Behnke pitched the final 4⅔ innings in taking the loss. Zielke and Behnke each walked one and had three strikeouts.

The JV team also beat Manawa, 11-2, on Tuesday, April 29. The JV team record is 4-4.

The varsity team will host a conference doubleheader against Bonduel on Thursday, May 1. The first game will start at 4 p.m.

As always, call the high school softball hotline (715-445-2411, ext. 5000) before all games to check the status of the game.