Axmear Amazes as English Valleys Down Keota

KEOTA—On June 26, the Keota Eagles hosted the English Valleys for a conference matchup. The Bears bested the Eagles by a final score of 17-0.

The game was broken open in the first inning, when English Valleys’ Kennedy Axmear stepped up to the plate, and rocketed a three run home run. The Bears added three more runs in the first, then nine more in the second. The Bears went on to secure a 17-0 victory. 

The Bears offense was led by Kennedy Axmear, who tallied six RBIs on the day. Axmear also got the start from the bump, and finished her day with three innings pitched, no earned runs on no hits and nine strikeouts. Axmear spoke on the spectacular day with, “Tonight felt very well. I came out here, and took care of business.”

Axmear currently sits in the top three of nine separate statistics in the South Iowa Cedar League, as well as having the second most home runs in Class 1A. She described her thoughts on the accomplishments with, “Honestly I had no clue. I just go out there every night, and give it my all.”

She went on to explain the process that has led to her success with, “Every practice, I focus and take the reps I need. Once I get onto the mound, our goal is to be focused and execute right away.”

Lastly, Axmear spoke on how the quick transition from state track to softball season affected her with, “That transition was a little rough just because I was not pitching as much as I should have been. Once I got into the swing of it, I was fine.”

English Valleys Head Coach Steve Hester spoke on the performance from Axmear with, “It’s nice. She is getting a little better control of her offspeed stuff, so that people who are looking for fastballs all the time are put a little off balance. She’s seen the ball pretty well at the plate too.”

He went on to describe the feeling of finishing conference play with a record of 12-4 with, “It’s awesome. It kinda snuck up on us. We didn’t realize the wins were coming as much as they were. I think the girls kept improving, and when you have that great approach at the plate, good things happen. I think that’s showing for them.” 

The English Valleys Bears finish their season with a record to 15-6 on the season, and will return to action on July 5. The Bears secured a bye in the first round of the Class 1A-Region 8 bracket, and will wait to host the winner of the game between the Tri-County Trojans and Hillcrest Academy Ravens.

The Keota Eagles wrap up their regular season with a record of 0-15. They will return to action on June 30 for the first round of the Class 1A Region 8 bracket, when they visit the Moravia Mohawks.