March 28, 2024

Lady Indian winning streak at 11 games

The Clarke Lady Indians have improved their winning streak to 11 games, improving to 18-6 for the season.

Clarke picked up an 8-0 win at Melcher-Dallas on June 19, as Libby Bemis pitched a one-hitter with 15 strikeouts.

Devon Carson and Amanda Kindred each drove in two runs for the Lady Indians, while Ashley Gibbs and Carley Robins each drove in one run.

Clarke then won a 6-0 South Central Conference road matchup against Chariton on June 20.

Bemis was strong in the pitching circle once again, giving up just two hits and striking out seven with four walks.

Bemis, Carson, Gibbs and Kimberly Eddy each drove in one run for the Lady Indians. Kennedy Crees and Gibbs both finished with two hits.

The Lady Indians then hosted the Benson Classic on Saturday, where they played both East Union and Woodward-Granger.

Clarke defeated East Union 10-0 in the opener, behind a strong pitching performance by Carrie Kindred.

Kindred allowed just two hits and issued only one walk, while striking out five.

Kassidy Spurgin, Robins and Eddy each collected two hits for Clarke. Vanessa Bakley, Bemis, Carson, Robins and Eddy all drove in one run apiece.

The Lady Indians finished with seven stolen bases as a team, including two from Carson.

Clarke then won a 7-0 game against Woodward-Granger in the finale of the Benson Classic.

Sarah Pate went 4-for-4 in the contest and drove in two runs. Crees, Bemis, Carson and Robins each drove in one run in the win. Amanda Kindred was 2-4 with a double.

Bemis allowed just two hits and issued one walk, striking out 15 in the win.

Regional assignment

Monday, Clarke learned its path to the state tournament.

The path to get to the Class 3A Region 6 final goes through conference opponents. The Lady Indians open up 7 p.m. at home against Chariton.

With a win, Clarke would host the winner of the Albia vs. Centerville game at 7 p.m. on July 12.

The bottom half of the bracket includes Mediapolis, Central Lee, Davis County and top-ranked West Burlington Notre Dame.

The regional final takes place 7 p.m. July 15 in Ottumwa, with the winner advancing to the state tournament.

"We are excited to be hosting the first two rounds, and even though we are playing teams we have previously beaten in the first two rounds, we will continue to focus on the process one pitch at a time," head coach Lindsay Diehl said. "Our team chemistry, mental preparation, playing together during the spring as well as the tougher teams we have played during this current season will pay off during our run to Fort Dodge. We made it to the regional final last year and look forward to getting back there and being the ones holding the red banner at the end of the game this time."