Photo by Jake Olson: North Union's Olivia Price sprints towards third base in the first inning of Wednesday night's contest against Belmond-Klemme in Swea City.

SWEA CITY – Getting a home run is a challenge in itself. An individual must hit the softball with such precision and power that it carries past the furthest boundary in fair territory. But to do it on five occasions in a single contest? Seems almost impossible.

Shallie Walders said otherwise. Her second long ball of Wednesday night’s contest against Belmond-Klemme sealed North Union’s 14-4 victory in the bottom of the third inning, putting a stamp on a fast and explosive performance from the Warrior offense.

As Walders passed Kim Price during her trip around third base, all the North Union head coach could do was smile. That’s all anyone could do.

“I’m just super proud of them,” Kim Price said. “They were super disciplined at the plate, waited, and got their pitch. We had super-solid contact and just let the power take the ball. And that was pretty amazing.”

The contest didn’t start with a happy-go-lucky persona across North Union’s dugout. It began with an early deficit. Belmond-Klemme wasted little time attacking Warriors’ starting pitcher Ainsley Ulrich, with a single from Kendra Huedepohl, followed by a patient, six-pitch walk from Jordyn Muhlenbruch soon after.

Kennedy Morris kept applying pressure with an up-the-middle grounder that brought in Huedepohl from her spot at second. The Broncos final run of the frame came off a shallow flyball from Aubrey Allen into center field, proving too far of a reach for North Union shortstop Olivia Price.

While Ulrich escaped further damage after forcing Nevi McMurray to pop up to her defense, the visiting Broncos made an early statement. Motivational echoes from Belmond-Klemme head coach Mikyla Hefti rang throughout the diamond as her team dashed onto the infield for its first time on defense.

But the Warriors did what they’ve done a majority of the season. Facing adversity in the home half of the first has been a theme in a handful of games in 2026. But what’s even more common is their response to the challenge.

Ulrich got the ball rolling on the first couple of pitches she saw off Kaylen Morris. Her single through the left side set up on-deck hitter Olivia Price to move her teammate into scoring position.

The senior’s bunt attempt proved successful in doing this job, forcing the Bronco defense to make a play with speed on the bases. But an errant throw towards Ulrich at third sent both runners home in one game-tying swoop.

Despite not counting as a home run in the scorebook, Olivia Price’s ability to take advantage of open bases was just the boost her team’s offense needed.

“We had quite a few other hits in the gap and were able to run the bases. I’m just super happy with them,” Kim Price said. “Their energy was really up tonight in the dugout the whole game. And that makes a huge difference.”

Brylie Deim got the official home run party moments later with a smooth swing of her bat. The ball climbed higher and higher into the blue sky before towering over the right field fence. Two quick plate appearances put North Union up with haste.

Deim’s second long ball of the night came the next frame at an even bigger moment. North Union’s bases loaded position subtracted a runner after Carlynn Zotz slid home safe on a passed ball from Morris.

It just took a handful of pitches after that for the senior to strike again. Sending a line drive to the opposite side of the field, the trip around the bases added to a Warrior lead that continued to swell.

Maisey Bierstedt’s walk one batter later set up Walders for her first home run of the night. Another shot to left field put a 9-2 mark on the scoreboard in center field.

Belmond-Klemme’s third inning seemed to put a temporary stoppage to the bleeding. McMurray’s hot shot to third base was soon followed by Jayla Coonce’s second single of the night to drive in a pair of scores.

But the Broncos’ biggest mistake was letting North Union bat again. This time, the Warriors took complete control of a bases-loaded situation. Bierstedt’s second hit of the contest was the most obvious fence-clearing ball the game saw. Scorching it to center field, the home run collided with the upper half of the scoreboard to push the lead to nine.

Walders continued the fun with the game-sealing home run on the very next at-bat. A once 9-4 advantage turned into a mercy ruling with the swing of two bats. This type of momentum shift is exactly what Kim Price loves to see her team do. Using their power to completely change the tone of any contest.

“When I’ve been on the opposite side of having a home run hit against us, it just feels like it’s a punch in the gut,” Kim Price said. “Especially when we are hitting multiple home runs in a game, it’s even more dangerous. That is very difficult to be on the other side of.”

North Union returns to action on Thursday night with another home contest against Central Springs. First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m. in Swea City.