GOING YARD — North Union batter Beth Streuber (right) receives congratulations from Warriors’ head coach Kim Price after Streuber slugged a home run during Iowa prep softball action against Forest City on Friday night in Swea City. (Photo by Greg Abel)

SWEA CITY — The North Union Warriors softball team, ranked No. 7 in Class 2A, stretched its winning streak to three by beating the Forest City Indians 14-0 in a run-ruled game on Friday night in Swea City.

The Warriors opened their 2023 summer season earlier in the week, losing 2-1 to Estherville-Lincoln Central, but regrouped to beat North Iowa 13-1 and Emmetsburg 10-5.

Ace Emily Meyer, who holds the school record for single-season wins — 33 in 2022, pitched a one-hit shutout and recorded five strikeouts in the three-inning game.

Meyer also holds the Warriors’ mark for career wins (83) and strikeouts in a single season with 318 set last summer. Meyer broke her own record of 278 strikeouts set in 2021.

Meyer will likely reach the 1,000 career strikeout plateau later this season, as well as win her 100th career game in the circle. She currently has 794 strikeouts and 87 wins.

“We kind of had a wake-up call Wednesday, trailing late, but we rallied to win,” North Union head coach Kim Price said. “We have to respect every team we play and take them seriously, no matter who is on our schedule. I thought we came out focused today, which is what I wanted to see from them.”

The Warriors made a statement in the first inning. Meyer threw only five pitches in the top of the frame — all strikes. She retired the Indians in order.

In the bottom of the first, Warriors’ Beth Streuber hit lead off and belted the first pitch she saw for a home run to left. The Warriors sent 11 hitters to the plate in the first, scoring six runs. Harley Tobin drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single and Ava Steinberger also drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single. Olivia Price grounded out, but the sixth run of the inning scored.

Meyer retired the side in order in the second inning, throwing eight strikes and five balls.

The Warriors scored eight more runs in the bottom of the second, sending 12 hitters to the plate.

Streuber drove in her second run of the game on a fielder’s-choice grounder, Meyer had a run-scoring walk with the bases loaded, Shallie Walders had a two-run double, Steinberger had a run-scoring single and Ainsley Ulrich drilled a two-run double to highlight the inning. Streuber scored on a wild pitch.

Fraker, Walders (both doubles) and Steinberger each had two hits to pace the Warriors’ offensive attack. Streuber, Tobin and Ainsley Ulrich each had one hit apiece.

Steinberger had a game-leading three RBIs, while Streuber, Walders, Tobin and Ainsley Ulrich had two RBIs apiece. Both of Shelby Fraker’s hits were bunt singles, plus she stole a base and scored two runs.

Last year, Meyer made the Iowa Class 2A All-District, All-State and All-State Tournament teams.

In the Indians’ final at-bat in the third inning, Jenna Walker singled, but was caught trying to steal as Fraker threw her out to complete the double play as the batter struck out. Meyer struck out the final hitter to end the game.

Meyer threw 28 pitches in her three innings on the mound, 21 were strikes and only seven were balls. She faced the minimum nine batters.

Meyer earned the pitching win, giving up no runs, one hit, no walks and struck out five in her three innings of work.

Meyer also led the state with 60 RBIs last year and has one home run and six RBIs so far this season.

For the Indians, Aubrey Miller suffered the loss, going 1 2/3 innings. She gave up 14 earned runs, nine hits, walked seven and struck out one. Michaela Dehrkoop pitched to one hitter, striking her out.

The Warriors (3-1) travel to Ruthven to battle the Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire Titans on Tuesday.

FC       000 —  3 1 0

NU      68x — 14 9 0

Aubrey Miller (LP), Michaela Dehrkoop (2) and Sasha Johnson. Emily Meyer (WP) and Shelby Fraker.

LOB–Forest City 0. North Union 3. 2B–Shallie Walders (NU) 2, Harley Tobin (NU), Ainsley Ulrich (NU). HR–Beth Streuber (NU).