Grundy Center softball started the week with a narrow defeat against Dike-New Hartford, then won four of their next five games to close out the week.
D-NH won 2-1 on June 9, followed by Grundy wins over Aplington-Parkersburg (14-4), Union Community (6-0) and AGWSR (8-0). At the Dave Lee Classic in Conrad on June 14, the Spartans lost to Gilbert, 9-1, then thumped South Hamilton, 12-2.
The win over AGWSR crucially kept Grundy Center in the pole position in the NICL West at 4-0 this season ahead of a big doubleheader at East Marshall that was scheduled for June 16.
“This was a really big conference game, and we just came out ready to play,” said Spartan senior Kyndra Dieken. “I feel like we’re hitting the ball really well, being more aggressive and really paying attention to defense as well.”
Dieken is averaging .370 at the plate with eight runs batted in after 15 games played. She’s the only senior on this summer’s roster.
“It’s a big role as the only senior,” Dieken said. “I’m just making sure the girls are ready to go and that we’re ready to play each and every day.”
From her position as Grundy Center’s catcher, she has thrown out three baserunners this season and helped along young Spartan pitchers like sophomore Maddy Hendershot and eighth-grader Macey Kiewiet.
“She’s a great leader for us in the dugout and hits the ball hard for us,” Spartan softball head coach Andy Lebo said.
Six different Spartans drove in one RBI each in the run-rule-shortened game against AGWSR. Macey Kiewiet was 2-for-2 with a double and struck out seven batters with no walks and only three hits allowed in five innings pitched.
Hendershot had a big game to close out the week against South Hamilton, hitting 4-for-5 from the plate with a triple, three runs batted in and two runs scored. In the circle, she struck out seven with two walks and one earned run on six hits in six innings of work.
East Marshall is rated ninth in Class 2A and is 3-1 in the conference going into Monday’s doubleheader. The Spartans will travel to Waterloo Columbus on Wednesday, South Hardin on Thursday, and return home against another ranked team, 1A No. 9 Wapsie Valley, on Friday.
JAKE RYDER SPORTS 