×

Fraker ‘sprints’ No. 7 Warriors to win in ninth inning

Shelby Fraker

SWEA CITY — Shelby Fraker utilized her all-state track speed to redefine Iowa Class 2A No. 7-ranked North Union’s method of winning with no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning on Thursday night.

Fraker scored the game-winning run on Olivia Von Bank’s suicide-squeeze bunt to propel the hometown Warriors to a 6-5 ‘sprint-off’ comeback victory over the Spencer Tigers during nonconference softball action in Swea City.

Fraker legged out a leadoff bunt hit to set the table for North Union’s offensive effort in the ninth inning, swiped second base and motored to third on a throwing error.

The senior catcher then outraced the ensuing throw home on Von Bank’s fielded bunt to help the Warriors exit the ballpark with a one-run winning decision.

Trailing 5-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, Von Bank ironically reached base on a dropped third strike, utilized her speed to steal second base and scored on Emily Meyer’s clutch RBI single to center field to force extra innings.

North Union also rallied from deficits of 2-0 and 5-3 during the earlier innings. After Spencer plated two runs in the top of the first, Shallie Walders singled to trigger the Warriors’ one-out rally in the bottom of the second inning.

Ella Ulrich legged out a bunt hit before both Walders and Ella Ulrich moved into scoring position on Kyla Irmiter’s fielder’s choice.

Olivia Price’s bunt scored Walders before Ella Ulrich circled the bases on the ensuing Spencer throwing error to knot the score at 2-all. Beth Streuber then lined an RBI single to bring home Price for a 3-2 lead.

The Tigers clawed out a solo run in the third and two more in the fourth to grab a 5-3 advantage on the scoreboard before Ainsley Ulrich inched the Warriors within one via an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Meyer recorded 14 strikeouts in pitching the full nine innings to earn the complete-game victory for the Warriors.

North Union (11-3) plays host to Garner-Hayfield/Ventura at 6 p.m. tonight in Swea City.

North Union 13, Eagle Grove 0 — Olivia Von Bank finished only a double away from hitting for the cycle during the Iowa Class 2A No. 7-ranked North Union Warriors’ run-ruled rout over the Eagle Grove Eagles on Wednesday night in Eagle Grove, Iowa.

Von Bank went 3-for-3 — highlighted by a two-run home run and a triple — to produce four RBIs in powering North Union to a 13-0, four-inning Top of Iowa Conference triumph over Eagle Grove.

Olivia Price also contributed three hits in three at-bats for the Warriors, while teammates Beth Streuber and Shallie Walders each produced two hits.

Shelby Fraker, Emily Meyer, Ella Ulrich and Kyla Irmiter generated one hit apiece to round out North Union’s 14-hit performance at Greenwood Park in Eagle Grove, Iowa.

Meyer recorded five strikeouts, did not issue a walk and scattered three hits in pitching four shutout innings to earn the complete-game win.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.65/week.

Subscribe Today