Jalen Logsdon

GRUNDY CENTER — The Class 2A preseason No. 4 Grundy Center baseball team closed out its opening week of play with a 9-2 triumph over Marshalltown on Friday night at the George Wilhelm Sports Complex.

The host Spartans (3-0) scored at least once in all six at-bats, getting hits from eight different players in the win. Starting pitcher Ethan Meester supported his own cause by going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

Meester pitched three scoreless for the win and Britt Meyer pitched two hitless innings of relief before the Bobcats (4-4) got their runs against Hayden Geerdes.

Leadoff batter Jalen Logsdon was 2-for-3 with a double and a two-run single in the top of the seventh inning for Marshalltown. Larrs Schoenfelder had the team’s only other hit.

Bobcat batters received eight total walks but struck out 10 times and couldn’t get the hits to deliver in run-scoring situations, said MHS head coach Colton Hanke.

“Tonight didn’t go the way we hoped but I’m really pleased with how we competed throughout the game,” Hanke said. “We had runners on early in the game but couldn’t capitalize on those opportunities.

Starting pitcher Aiden Holmgren took the loss, allowing seven runs on seven hits and five total walks while striking out three.