ACKLEY — Taryan Barrick tossed a one-hitter while striking out 14 and Josie Winterberg hit her first varsity home run, helping the Class 1A No. 4 AGWSR softball team defeat Iowa Falls-Alden 6-0 on Thursday night.

Madalyn Juhl’s bunt single in the top of the fourth inning was the lone hit for the Cadets (11-19) against Barrick, who walked none in the complete-game performance.

Winterberg finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs, while MaKenna Kuper went 3-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and three runs scored. Barrick had two hits and drove in a run to help her own cause, while Taylor Sperfslage doubled and scored.

The Cougars (22-6) visit LeGrand tonight for a showdown with 2A No. 13 East Marshall to determine the NICL West Division champion.

East Marshall 15, G-R 2, 5 innings

GLADBROOK — The Class 2A No. 13 East Marshall softball team scored eight runs in the top of the second inning en route to a 15-2, five-inning victory over Gladbrook-Reinbeck in Thursday’s NICL West Division contest.

Madison Farrington had a two-run double and Ellen Hungerford added a three-run double in the Mustangs’ offensive explosion in the second inning. Amber Martenson added a pinch-hit, RBI single in the inning as East Marshall (24-6, 10-1) took command.

Reagan McIlrath led off the third inning with her fourth home run of the season to help support Kodie Hoskey, who tossed a three-hitter for the win. Hoskey struck out nine and walked three in the win.

Farrington finished 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs, and Hungerford was 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Melinda Puumala was 2-for-5 with an RBI, two stolen bases and three runs scored, McIlrath went 2-for-5 with a double, a homer, three RBIs and three runs scored, and Hannah Birks was 2-for-2 with three runs scored.

Belen Ellenberger, Reagan Skovgard and Rachel Cooley each had singles for Gladbrook-Reinbeck (1-18, 0-12), with Skovgard collecting an RBI. Cooley surrendered 14 hits, eight walks and eight earned runs from the circle for the Rebels.

BCLUW 14, North Butler 7

CONRAD — The BCLUW softball team overcame a five-run deficit to snap North Butler’s six-game win streak, beating the Bearcats 14-7 in Thursday’s non-conference clash.

The host Comets (18-12) fell behind 6-1 after North Butler (17-10) scored six times in the top of the third inning, but BCLUW rallied with three runs in the third, two more in the fourth, five in the fifth and three in the sixth.

Cate Nason’s bases-clearing double in the third kickstarted the Comet comeback, and Easton Swanson’s third home run of the season brought BCLUW back into a 7-all tie to start the fifth. The Comets scored four more runs after Swanson’s team-leading third home run, highlighted by consecutive run-scoring singles by Kiersten Kruse, Lauren Anderson and Madison Ubben.

Anderson led the way with three hits and got the win in the circle for BCLUW, allowing seven runs on six hits and four walks while striking out two. Bailey Ashton pitched two perfect innings of relief, striking out one.

Kaylee Goecke, Nason and Kruse contributed two hits apiece for the Comets, who visit Grundy Center tonight.

LATE WEDNESDAY

Colo-NESCO 5-15, Baxter 4-5

MC CALLSBURG — The Colo-NESCO softball team won an Iowa Star Conference doubleheader over Baxter on Wednesday, taking the first game, 5-4, and the second game, 15-5.

Rylee Purvis earned the win in game one, going the complete game for the Royals (9-11) while allowing nine hits and four runs and striking out five.

Purvis also went 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple and a run scored, while Gracie Kettwig finished 2-for-4 with a double and Chelsea Henze went 1-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Mackenna Ruffcorn toed the rubber in the game two win, allowing nine hits and five runs in a complete-game effort while striking out three.

Purvis again swung the bat well, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs and four RBIs, and Chelsea Henze also went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs.

Molly Barten had a 2-for-4 night with a double, a run and an RBI, while Claire Skinner went 1-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs.