The Norwalk softball team opened the season with a 3-0 home win over Interstate 35 in non-conference action Monday night. The Warriors plated all three of their runs in the bottom of the sixth, supporting Carly Brewer’s one-hit shutout in the circle. Brewer was nearly perfect on the night, striking out 14 batters and issuing zero walks.

Maddie Gullion and Bailey Birmingham opened the Norwalk sixth with back-to-back triples and Kalli Henke executed a squeeze bunt later in the inning to drive in the third run. The Warriors entered the sixth with only three singles. Ava Garvey went 2-for-2 and also drew a walk. Dani Peters added one hit and a stolen base.

The Warriors will host Ankeny Centennial tonight at 7:30.

Boys Substate Soccer begins

The Norwalk boys soccer team opens postseason play tonight, hosting Carlisle in a Class 3A Substate semifinal at 7:00 p.m. The third-ranked Warriors enter the contest with an overall record of 8-7-2 and will be playing their first game in 12 days. The Wildcats improved to 5-6-4 with a 2-0 playoff win over Oskaloosa last Tuesday.

Norwalk defeated Carlisle in a hard-fought Substate final match last year, prevailing 1-0 with a late goal. Tonight’s winner will face ADM or Bondurant-Farrar in Thursday’s Substate 5 final.