North Union ace right-hander Emily Meyer pounded the strike zone early and often during the undefeated Warriors’ Top of Iowa softball clash with the unbeaten Belmond-Klemme Broncos on Wednesday night.
The hard-throwing Meyer displayed outstanding control by recording a career-best 14 strikeouts without issuing a walk to help guide North Union to a 12-2, six-inning triumph over Belmond-Klemme in Swea City.
“I just threw the pitches the coaches (head coach Kim Price and assistant Jack Von Bank) called tonight,” said Meyer, who allowed only one earned run on four hits in six innings of work to earn the complete-game victory.
Meyer struck out eight of the first nine Bronco batters on the game, and retired four of Belmond-Klemme’s hitters twice via strike three. North Union’s sophomore ace set down the first 11 Broncos in a row before Allison Barrus spoiled Meyer’s no-hit bid with a fourth-inning single.
“Emily has gone three games this season without walking a batter, and issued just two walks in five total games,” said Price. “Her first-pitch strike rate is very high this season, and I like how she works ahead in the count and stays ahead.”
