Clarke girls winners in two of first three

Clarke’s girls softball team opened its season with two wins and a loss over the first week of action, starting with a 13-0 home victory in four innings to defeat Chariton on Wednesday, May 23.

After securing an early 2-0 lead, Clarke stretched it to four with a Sadie Marker blast over the left field fence. Marker later added a double.

“It makes me confident going into the next games of the season. I feel like all of us play as a team so it’s a good start,” Marker said.

The Lady Indians then walloped their way to nine runs in the fourth inning to clinch their first victory of the year.

Sidney Marker compiled a 3-for-4 day at the plate with two RBIs. Emma Bolton and Alexis Watson each knocked in two runs apiece.

Watson also worked four innings in the circle for the Lady Indians. She allowed just one hit, did not issue a walk and struck out five Charger hitters.

Clarke went on to split its other two games last week.

A 10-0 defeat at the hands of ADM in Adel Thursday, in which the Lady Indians managed just three hits, was followed by a 14-3 victory at Centerville Friday.

Sadie Marker bashed three hits and contributed four RBIs to Clarke’s cause in the defeat of Centerville.

Also in the win over the Redettes, Sidney Marker and Hailee Fry each contributed two hits apiece. Sidney Marker and Watson each drove in two runs apiece. Kaitlyn Halsband, Watson and Fry each added a double in the contest, while Fry scored a team-high three runs.

Scoring two runs each were Halsband, Kiaya Dunbar, and Chynna Beydler

Watson picked up her second pitching victory of the season and struck out six batters.