OSCEOLA — Perry junior Jo Diw moved to the top of Class 4A and to second-place statewide with her 11th and 12th home runs of the season Tuesday as the Jayettes beat host Clarke, 5-0, in a non-conference contest.
Seventh-ranked Perry (19-7) scored twice in the first inning and three times in the seventh as part of a 10-hit onslaught.
That was more than enough support for Emma Olejniczak, who allowed only four hits and two walks while striking out 15 to help the Jayettes cruise to victory.
Diw led off a game for the third time this season with a solo home run, with Rachel Kinney hitting a two-out single, stealing second and scoring when Olejniczak singled to aid her own cause.
Perry had numerous hits and base runners through the middle innings but could not find a way to bring runners across the plate.
That changed in the seventh when sisters Maddie and Gabby West each drew walks. Perhaps not wishing to load the bases, the Indians opted to pitch to Diw, who promptly burned the hosts with a three-run blast to put the game away.
Diw finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs while Gabby West had two singles, walked and scored. Kinney, Olejniczak, Sid Vancil, Adriana Eastman and Alyssa Kruger also had base hits for the Jayettes.
Perry hosts Carroll tonight and Boone Thursday in a pair of critical Raccoon River Conference contests.
Tonight’s game will serve as Youth Softball Night. All PGSA players/teams in uniform will be admitted for free, with players receiving season medals. Jayette varsity players will sign posters and pose for photos with future Perry stars after the contest.
