HUXLEY — Three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning shot fifth-ranked Ballard to a 4-1 win over No. 7 Perry in Raccoon River Conference softball Thursday.
The Bombers (30-5, 11-2) had scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first for a quick 1-0 lead, but the Jayettes (24-10, 8-6) were able to tie the game in the top of the sixth.
Sid Vancil singled with two outs, with Alyssa Kruger hit by a pitch to put two runners aboard. Senior Rachel Kinney’s RBI-single plated Vancil to tie the game.
With single runs driven in each of the last three games, Kinney — who will play college ball for Simpson — surpassed the 100-career RBI mark and stands at 102 runs driven home. She is, unofficially, at 192 career hits.
The hosts responded immediately with three tallies in their ensuing at-bat, one of which was unearned. Perry could not muster any scoring in the seventh, giving the home team the victory.
Ballard’s Abby Carlin and Perry’s Emma Olejniczak fought each other to a near draw. The former allowed an earned run on five hits while striking out nine and hitting one batter, with the latter yielding four runs — two earned — on four hits while also striking out nine.
Vancil had two singles for Perry, with Kinney, Jo Diw and Brooke Huntington also providing base hits.
The Jayettes will conclude their regular season Monday when Pella visits the PAC.
