Earlier in the week, the Bobcats (14-6) split with No. 2 Johnston at home and No. 1 Dowling Catholic on the road, but on Thursday they suffered their first back-to-back losses of the year, falling to Southeast Polk in both games of a home doubleheader.

MHS head coach Steve Hanson said getting back on the winning side by taking down the Comets (11-4) was a good response from his squad.

“We had a nice bounce back game tonight on the road against a good team and a very good pitcher,” Hanson said.

Last season North Polk pitcher Jake Johnson threw a one-hit shutout against the Bobcats, but this time around Marshalltown was ready for him.

T-R PHOTO BY ANNE VANCE

MHS had six total hits on the night, including a 2-for-4 performance by senior Nate Vance in the lead-off spot.

The Bobcats put two runs on the board in the first inning alone, which was all Vance needed on the mound as he put together a one-hitter of his own, striking out four Comets.

“We got off to a good start in the first inning, which is always nice on the road, and Nate Vance made those runs stand up,” Hanson said. “Vance was in control throughout and overcame a couple physical glitches with our defense. North Polk has a talented team and is very well coached so we knew we’d have our hands full tonight.”

Tate Kuehner had went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run, while Dru Dobbins went 1-for-3 with an RBI for the Bobcats.

Hanson said after such a brutal week facing off against some of the best teams in the state, this win was a great way to head into the weekend.

“The best part about tonight is that all of our guys saw action and we ended a tough week on a high note,” Hanson said. “It doesn’t get any easier next week but at least we have a couple days now to regroup and heal up before getting back at it.”

Marshalltown will be back on the diamond on Monday when it travels to Fort Dodge on Monday for a CIML Iowa Conference doubleheader, starting at 5 p.m.