Southeast Valley softball played host to the Iowa Falls-Alden Cadets in Harcourt on Thursday night (June 22, 2023) and were able to reign in another “W” by defeating the Cadets by a score of 4-3. 

Senior pitcher Maddie Vansickle showed out again on the mound facing 28 batters, striking out a season high seven batters, and allowing just four hits and three runs on the night. Maddie and her defense were tough and made what others might call “impossible plays” possible. Again, the game ended with the Jags on defense and a Jaguar defender making a dramatic play for the final out of the inning. Junior shortstop Ellie Nolte dove deep into the five-six hole to grab a ground ball from the Cadet offense and tossed it to sophomore third baseman Lauren Eslick to seal the deal and the win for Southeast Valley. 

On the offense side, the Jags would struggle to get any runs across the plate, despite having solid performances in the box. Junior Ellie Nolte was two for three with two doubles and an RBI. Fellow Junior Jordyn Rowley was also two for three, hitting two singles and scoring once. Alex Kitchen, Rian Schlief, and Brooke Peterson would also each record a single and a run. Leilah Olson would add another single to the total, as well. All of the Jaguar runs were scored in the fourth inning with the bottom of the lineup doing the work to put the jags on top. 

The Jags will continue their full week of competition by facing off in a conference matchup against the Titans from South Central Calhoun on Friday night. Friday night is also senior night where Southeast Valley softball will recognize their one and only senior, Maddie Vansickle.