The Norwalk softball team got back on track in a big way on Thursday, outscoring Ballard and Johnston by a combined 21-4 at the DC-G Classic. The Norwalk baseball team, meanwhile, was swept by Ballard in a non-conference doubleheader.

Softball wins a pair

The Class 4A third-ranked Warrior softball team stopped a two-game losing skid with wins of 13-3 over Ballard and 8-1 vs. 5A fifth-ranked Johnston. 

The Ballard game lasted only four innings as Norwalk collected 16 hits. Nyah Hulbert, Bailey Birmingham and Carly Brewer all went 3-for-4 at the plate, combining for four doubles, eight runs scored and seven RBI. Maddie Gullion, Hadley Michael and Cambry Livingston all finished 2-for-3, with Livingston driving in four runs. Ava Garvey added a double and walked twice. Leah Crick pitched all four innings for the victory.

Hulbert had another big game vs. Johnston, going 3-for-3 with a single, double and triple, two runs and two RBI. She finished the day 6-for-7 with four extra-base hits. Gullion hit a pair of singles while Carly Brewer and Haily Hook both added a single and two RBI. The Warriors pulled away with five runs in the sixth to end the game early. Brewer allowed five hits and one run in a complete game effort.

Now 29-5 overall, Norwalk returns to action on Saturday, hosting Dubuque Wahlert for a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m.

Baseball team swept by Bombers

Class 3A fourth-ranked Ballard swept Norwalk at Slater’s Nite Hawk Baseball Diamond, defeating the Warriors 12-2 in six innings and 5-0.

Norwalk committed five errors in game one behind pitchers Ashton Hans and Konner Holtorf. Hans took the loss, allowing seven hits and four earned runs in four innings. Rhylee Schmidt led the Warrior offense, going 2-for-2 with an RBI. Colton Moore and Ryan Jones both hit a double.

Norwalk was shut out on one hit in game two, striking out 11 times. Jones singled for the lone hit and Briley Purcell took the loss, pitching 5 ⅔ innings. He allowed only three hits but issued seven free passes. Ballard pulled away with three runs in the sixth, improving to 25-7.

The Warriors are now 12-16 overall and will finish the regular season on Tuesday night, hosting ADM.