PCM-06-06-2024

Explorer PCM

PARTY ON, PARROT HEADS

Annual Uri Sellers Memorial Golf Tournament June

8

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Get ready to “Party with a Purpose” at the Uri Sellers Memorial Golf Tournament. Teeing off at 11 a.m. June 8, the annual fundraiser is going full Margaritaville to have fun in paradise.

“Please come out to Gateway to support the memorial foundation as they continue to award scholarships to PCM students and give back to the local communities,” organizer and Uri’s brother Caleb Sellers said.

The four-person best shot golf outing has two flights, first at 11 a.m. and a second at 3 p.m. There

will be a free-will lunch served along with a silent auction, raffle and T-shirt sale. The evening will

The quest to be queen

6 local 4-H and FFA girls up for Jasper County Fair Queen title

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Six candidates will try for the title of Jasper County Fair Queen 2024. The queen contest will take place at 3 p.m. June 15 at the Newton Community Theater, located in the Newton YMCA. The Jasper County Fair kicks off July 19 in Colfax.

Libbie Keith — Newton

Administrators selected to fill open positions

Art Sathoff to fill in as interim superintendent at PCM; Jenni McCrory picked to lead at Prairie City Elementary

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

The PCM School Board has approved two administration hires of a new interim superintendent and elementary principal. Art Sathoff will serve as interim superintendent for the 2024-25 school year while Jenni McCrory will fill the open PCM Elementary Principal position in Prairie City.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to serve and lead the PCM School District during this time of transition,” Sathoff said. “The combination of high expectations and small, supportive communities is truly powerful, and I look forward to working with the board, administration and staff in support of students and families.”

Libbie Keith is a 2024 Graduate of Newton High School. She is the daughter of Craig and Angel Keith. During high school, Libbie was on the bowling team, both football and winter varsity cheer teams, played the flute and piccolo in concert and marching band, and was involved in FFA and National Hon-

ors Society. Outside of school, she danced in InMotion and is involved in Sherman Sunbeams 4-H Club. Some of her achievements include graduating with highest honors, valedictorian, 4.0 GPA, All-American Cheer and being the first fourtime state bowling qualifier in her school’s history. The reasons that she would be honored and would enjoy representing Jasper County would be because the fair is her most favorite time of year. Some of her best memories and friends have come out of being a part of the Jasper County Fair and camping on the grounds. She also enjoys being a role model to the younger kids and influencing them to want to stay active in FFA and 4-H.

Trinity-Ann Hanson — Newton

Trinity-Ann Hanson is the daughter of Lance and Tracy Hanson. She is an active member of the Sherman Sunbeam’s 4-H Club and the Newton FFA

Chapter. She is a student at Newton Senior High School. She is a dancer at InMotion Dance Studio. Trinity-Ann would like to represent the Jasper County Fair as queen or princess because the county fair is all about the fun memories and being a role model for everyone. Looking up to the older kids when she was younger has shaped her into who she is now at the county fair. She would love to be a good example and show everyone that you can do anything.

Meredith Chipps — Monroe Meredith Chipps is the daughter of Mitchell and Melissa Chipps. She is currently about to go into her

Sathoff comes to PCM after serving as interim superintendent of the Cedar Rapids Community School District and superintendent of Indianola Community School District. He also served as a principal for Pekin and Fairfield Schools. He has been a member of the Urban Education Network of Iowa’s steering committee since November 2022. His education includes a specialist degree from Drake University and a master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Sathoff currently resides in Pella.

McCrory comes to PCM after serving as the grades 3-5 principal at Sergeant Bluff-Luton Elementary in Sergeant Bluff. She is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, has served as band director at West Sioux Middle School in Hawarden and as PK-4 principal at East Elementary in Sheldon.

“I love working with third, fourth and fifth grade students which makes me very excited to come to PCM and lead the 3-5 building in Prairie City,” McCrory said. “I am looking forward to working with a new staff and learning about all the great things PCM offers to students and their families. I believe growth happens when change occurs so I hope to continue growing as an administrator while leading PCM Elementary School in Prairie City.”

CONGRATS, GRADS

PCM celebrates graduations for preschool students moving on to kindergarten, fifth graders heading to middle school and eighth graders moving up to high school

Sathoff

McCrory

FAIR QUEEN | 3

Keith

Hanson

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

Worth Mentioning

Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.com

PCM Food Pantry

The PCM Food Pantry at the Monroe Presbyterian Church, 113 S. Main St. in Monroe, is open 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.

Events at The Gathering Place

Thursday, June 6

• 9am Crafts with Jamee ($4 for craft)

Saturday, June 8

• 8am Monroe Classic Madness in the city park, Car Show, Live Music, Family Fun, Food, Bingo

Monday, June 10

• 8am Coffee & Prayer with Pastor Ann

• 10am Video Exercise Class

Tuesday, June 11

• 9am Crafts with Jamee ($4 for craft)

Wednesday, Jun 12

• 12:15pm Fresh Conversations

• 1pm “Get Fit, Move More”

Thursday, June 13

• 9am Crafts with Jamee ($4 for craft)

• 10am Patty Richards Music Show

Prairie City Residential Appliance/Scrap Metal Drop-Off

The City of Prairie City is offering Residential Appliance/Scrap Metal Drop-Off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 7-9 at 901 W. Second St. Contact the city hall at 515-994-2649 with any questions.

Second Saturday Stewardship

Join staff and volunteers to do trail maintenance and invasive species removal from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 8 at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Volunteers will use hand tools to clear trails and remove invasive plants. Learn about Iowa’s native ecosystems and wildlife while providing a helping hand.

Volunteers are required to sign a volunteer agreement and a volunteer under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian fill out and sign the form. Those ages 16 or older are permitted to use hand tools. Volunteers are required to wear pants, closed shoes suitable for field work, a long sleeve shirt and bring a refillable water bottle. Contact Nancy Corona for additional information at nancy_corona@fws. gov or call 515-994-3400.

TOPS

TOPS 1025 meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City for weigh-in, with meeting to follow. Go to the north side parking lot at the church and enter in the north door. Call 515-994-2200 for information.

Men’s Recovery meeting

Lighthouse Recovery Ministries hosts a Men’s Recovery meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Grace Alive Church, 703 W. Second St. in Prairie City. Contact Barb at b.miller@lighthouserecoveryia.com with questions.

PCM Clothing Closet

The PCM Clothing Closet, on the second floor of the Family Life Center at 105 S. Sherman St. in Prairie City, will be open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

American Legion Posts

The Monroe American Legion Auxiliary meet at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Legion.

MUMC Ice Cream Social June 13

Monroe United Methodist Church, 407 N. Monroe St., will host an Ice Cream Social from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 13.

A freewill offering will be accepted with proceeds going toward local missions.

Lions induct new member

The Prairie City Lions Club inducted a new member, Shonna Ellis, at its regular monthly meeting April 11 at the Prairie City Museum. President Greg Townley conducted the ceremony where he received Ellis’ pledge to serve in the club. He presented a membership pin to her and sponsorship pin to her sponsor, Janet Townley.

Townley informed Ellis and other members about the purpose of the Lions Club at the local, district, state, national and international levels. Lions Club International is the world’s largest and most active service organization with a membership of approximately 1.3 million men and women belonging to 45,000 Lions clubs worldwide. The Lions Club was established in 1917 based on the dream of a Chicago businessman named Melvin Jones who believed local business clubs should expand their horizons from purely professional concerns to the betterment

of their community.

Locally, the Prairie City Lions Club was chartered in 1950 and has been active in community projects since then. Some of the service projects include financial support for school activities, kids needing eye-glasses, screening of kids for “lazy eye,” support for playground equipment in the park, Prairie Days Celebration, Christmas lights on city streets, Veteran’s memorial project on the city square, sup -

port of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, PCM Robotics program, PCM PTO, Prairie City Public Library, PCM Trap Shooters and the local food pantry. The Lion’s Club’s main thrust is in conservation and preservation of sight and hearing. The motto is “We serve” which is done through support of many local causes beyond the main mission. The local club also supports humanitarian services at the state, national and international levels.

The Prairie City Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Prairie City Historical Building, 109 S. Main St. More members are needed. If you are interested in serving the community, you are invited to attend a meeting. For more information, contact Lion President Greg Townley at 515-321-5085 or email gregory.a.townley@ gmail.com or one of the other members.

100+ Men donate to The Gathering Place

Submitted Photo 100+ Men Red Rock, a group of men committed to giving back to the Lake Red Rock area by financially supporting the charitable organizations that serve the Red Rock region, recently donated $10,000 to The Gathering Place in Monroe, one of the organization’s 2024 second quarter recipients.

Share the fun of fishing during free fishing weekend June 7-9

Iowa residents can try fishing without buying a license on June 7, 8 and 9 as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) free fishing weekend. All other regulations remain in place.

Free fishing weekend is a great time to share the fun of fishing with a kid, your family or a friend. Outdoor fun awaits at hundreds of Iowa lakes, thousands of miles of rivers or a neighborhood pond.

“Grab your tackle box, take the family, and get your lines in the water,” Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Fisheries Bureau, said. “You’ll be reeling in fish and making new memories in no time!”

Find a list of stocked lakes and ponds that are easily accessible in parks and along trails on the Iowa DNR’s interactive Iowa Community Fisheries Atlas at www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Fish-Local.

Fun, hands-on fishing events will be offered across Iowa to help

OWLS program to feature Des

Moines Botanical Garden

Jasper County Conservation Board will host an Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors (OWLS) program at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 12 at the Jasper County Armory/ Annex Building in Newton. The public is invited to for coffee and a program given by Alex Nuzum, education manager at the Des Moines Botanical Garden. Nuzum will give an overview of the botanical garden, its history, plant collections and a few updates on some exciting events coming up. The OWLS program is a conservation program that encourages seniors to stay active and learn new things about the natural world. Contact the Jasper County Conservation Board office at 641-792-9780 for more information.

families new to fishing get started.

Check the general fishing calendar on the DNR website at www. iowadnr.gov/fishing for a list of free fishing events.

Keep the fun going all summer long by buying a fishing license. It’s easy to buy a fishing license with the DNR Go Outdoors Iowa online licensing system at https:// license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/Licensing/CustomerLookup.aspx. You can download the public Go

Outdoors IA mobile app for iPhone and Android devices to buy and store your fishing license, so you will always have access to your license no matter where you are. Yearly, seven-day, or 24-hour fishing licenses are available. Enticing a fish to bite your hook is fun for all ages. Get tips for taking kids fishing and catching crappie and bluegills on the DNR website at www.iowadnr. gov/Fishing/Ready-to-Fish.

We can stop HIV, Iowa—by taking part in National HIV Testing Day

No matter how you test , no matter your test results, you can take the next step for your health.

Did you know? Getting tested for HIV is the only way to know your status. And knowing your HIV status helps you choose options to stay healthy! The CDC recommends everyone get tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime, and more often when needed.

Find HIV testing location near you at stophiviowa.org

Submitted Photo

From left: Sponsor Janet Townley with new member Shonna Ellis and president Greg Townley, who inducted Ellis as a new member of the Lions Club April 11.

Explorer PCM

time for friends and family to get together, it has a stronger meaning behind it.

While the tournament is

Fair Queen

senior year at PCM High School. Some ac tivities she is involved in are golf, FFA, 4-H, FCA and National Hon or Society. Meredith would like to represent the Jasper County Fair as the queen because she would like to meet more people from our county and express her love for our county fair to others!

“Within the last year the foundation provided 10 scholarships, five in 2023 and five more in 2024, provided school supplies and backpacks as a part of the PCM Back to School Drive, sponsored a story walk along the Red Rock Prairie Trail through the Monroe Library, donated to the

Rylee DeHaai — Monroe

Rylee DeHaai is the daughter of David and Brenda DeHaai. She is a junior at PCM High School. Rylee is involved in many activities including Killduff Hot-Shot’s 4-H Club (President), Diamond Trail FFA (Vice President), Jasper County Council (Pres -

Prairie City Library and donated to PCM Youth Football,” Sellers said. “This is our only fundraiser we have each year, and it’s always great to see how our local communities rally around this one event to make it a success. So many people volunteer, donate, participate and help out each year and that really is the special sauce

that makes this all work.”

The golf outing is a followup to the slow-pitch softball tournament that was held for almost two decades. The tournament continues to give former classmates, teammates and friends a chance to come back and get together all while raising money for a great cause.

“It’s great seeing everyone that you haven’t seen in a while, as we usually have a number of PCM alumni that travel back specifically for this event each year,” Sellers said. “We wanted to make it special and give back to the PCM community and supporters of the foundation with the live music and fireworks.

ident), PCM Dance Team and competitive studio dance. She enjoys working with her livestock projects of beef cattle, sheep and goats, dancing with her friends and spending time with her cat. Rylee is a hard worker who is always looking for new ways to learn and grow. Becoming Jasper County Fair Queen is a dream she has had since she was a little girl. She is excited for this opportunity to represent Jasper County and continue to grow her leadership and communication skills while being a mentor for others.

Lexi Kephart — Newton

Lexi Kephart, also known as LuLu because of her greatest achievement which is her ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association) Certified and title winning rabbitry. Lexi’s parents, Emina and Steve truly help

encourage her rabbit passion. Not only that, but she and her dad both love their late nights in the barn with Chris LeDoux in the background, or their drilling sessions after wrestling practice. Along with being around her animals, and her dad, she also loves to learn more about her Bosnian heritage with her mom and grandparents! While she is new to Jasper County, she has previously competed in the Poweshiek County Fair Queen contest. Even though she didn’t win, It was still nice to be able to show that she can clean up nice, and that you don’t need to be a girlygirl to do well in competitions that are pageant based.

Cadence Horn — Newton

Cadie Horn is the daughter of James and Neisha Horn. She graduated high

school in 2023 and was a homeschooled student (though she took some classes at Newton High School). Throughout high school, she was a member of the Community Heights Alliance Church Youth Group, and was heavily involved in both the Newton FFA Chapter and the South Central District of the Iowa FFA. She is a former member of World Changers 4-H Club, Joy Singers Homeschool Choir, and Newton Girls Basketball. This last year she enrolled in a one year program at Emmaus Bible College in pursuit of a certificate in Biblical Studies, where she also played on the college’s women’s basketball team. Cadie has a desire to represent the Jasper County Fair as queen because she wants to give others a positive impression of the experiences, people and heart that make up this special week of the year.

Kephart

DeHaai Horn

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

SOFTBALL

State-ranked PCM off to strong start in 2024

MONROE — The lone senior on PCM’s softball team, Lark Drake, was on base three times and scored the first run in the deciding inning of the Mustangs’ win over Grand View Christian on May 30.

Tori Lindsay clubbed her team-leading third homer of the summer and Addi Hudnut belted her first career varsity home run and that’s all PCM needed during a 7-1 non-conference victory.

“With our pitching, if we can get to four or five runs in a game, we are going to be sitting pretty well,” PCM head softball coach Shaun Hudnut said.

The pitching was once again strong for the Mustangs. The Thunder scored their lone run in the first inning but was shut down the rest of the way by a trio of PCM hurlers.

Camden Webb picked up her first career varsity win in relief and Ila Keuning and Rylee Parsons combined to get seven outs at the front and back ends of the game.

“We want to make sure we are managing pitch counts,” Coach Hudnut said. “We felt like we rode one horse too much last year. We want to keep them fresh.”

The victory over Grand View Christian came one day after the Mustangs cracked the Class 3A rankings. After downing previously-No. 13 Chariton, 3-0, PCM moved into the 14th position this week.

For Drake, the start to the season is everything she could have hoped for in her final summer on the diamond.

“I’m really proud of us. I hope we can continue to do this, especially since this is my senior year,” Drake said. “I wanted us to have a good season. I’m looking forward to winning more games and being even higher ranked as we go.”

The youthful Mustangs fell behind Grand View Christian in the first inning after the Thunder’s Livy VanDerSluis reached on an infield single, stole second, went to third on a passed ball and then scored on an RBI ground out to first.

That run was charged to Keuning, who was replaced by Webb with one out in the second.

Webb, one of a handful of eighth-graders who see significant playing time, tossed a career-most 4 2/3 innings and earned her first varsity win after allowing no earned runs and just one hit. She struck out five and stranded two runners in scoring position in the second.

Keuning allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk and she struck out one in 1 1/3 innings.

Parsons tossed the seventh and surrendered no runs on one hit and one hit batter.

PCM’s defense also was up to the challenge. The Mustangs committed no errors and finished the game with a few impressive defensive plays in the seventh.

With one out, and runners on first and second, eighth-grader Holly Wood ran down a ball in foul territory near the fence from her position at second base for the second out.

Eighth-grader Libby Winters ended the game when she ran down a hard hit, line drive to center field.

Winters and Webb also had one hit each at the plate and eighth-grader Hadley Millang laced an RBI double in the fourth. Classmates Ryan DeVore and Peyton Lathrum also scored as courtesy runners.

“There’s so many of them, but they are so athletic and they’ve helped us in a lot of different ways,” Drake said about the eighth grade class. “I’m glad we were able to bring them all

up to help us.”

PCM tied the game in the first when Lillian Humpal walked, stole second and third and then scored on a throwing error by the catcher.

The Mustangs (6-1) scored three times in the fourth to take the lead for good. Drake was hit by a pitch and Winters reached on a bunt single before Webb’s RBI single made it 2-0. Millang added an RBI double later in the frame.

“Our eighth-grade class is a talented group,” Coach Hudnut said. “A few girls have really earned the playing time. They’ve shown that in our winter workouts and hitting sessions. They add some elements to what we want to do.”

Addison Steenhoek, the team’s lone junior, reached on a two-out error in the fifth and Lathrum scored as a courtesy runner on Lindsay’s two-run

blast to left field.

PCM capped the scoring when Addi Hudnut sent a solo shot over the fence in left field.

The Mustangs finished with just six hits, but three of them went for extra bases. They also walked twice and stole five bases.

“We feel like we have good hitters. It’s just a matter of getting that experience,” Coach Hudnut said. “We have a good blend of righties and lefties with speed and power, we have girls who can bunt and we have girls who can hit for power.”

Drake finished with one hit, one run, one walk and two steals and she was hit by a pitch. Winters scored one run and stole one base, Webb tallied an RBI and Humpal walked once, scored one run and stole two bases.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had this good of energy, and

chipped in one run, one RBI and one steal.

Lindsay added an RBI, Winters and Naeve each scored one run and Millang and Drake walked once.

Parsons’ earned run average stayed at 0.00 after allowing just one hit and striking out four in four innings. Webb spun three innings and picked up her school-record third save of the season after allowing one hit and striking out two.

Roland-Story dropped to 1-5 and 1-4 in the conference.

“We feel like we have a 1a and 1b with Rylee and Camden and we have a plan of having Rylee start and throw four innings and then let Camden finish it,” Coach Hudnut said. “It may not be the plan for every game, but if we can do that all year and get them both about 50-60 pitches each game, that will benefit us in the long run. They both throw hard and ones a lefty and ones a righty.”

PCM 7, Perry 0 PERRY — Parsons registered her 200th career strikeout, Webb set a new school record for saves in a season and Millang belted her first career home run during the Mustangs’ 7-0 road win over Perry on May 29.

The Mustangs out-hit the Bluejays 12-1 and took advantage of two Perry errors in the HOIAC victory.

that’s partly because of the eighth-graders, too,” Drake said.

“Everyone is here to play and wants to contribute to the team.

“Our defense has been really good, too. Before today, Pella was the only team to even score on us so the defense has helped a lot.”

Morgan Pelham led Grand View Christian (2-5) with two hits, while VanDerSluis collected one hit and one run. The Thunder stranded eight runners on base.

Addie Hackett took the pitching loss after surrendering three earned runs on six hits, two walks and one hit batter in six innings. She struck out six.

Notes: In their six wins, PCM is outscoring its opponents 341. The Mustangs have allowed four earned runs in seven games this summer. “We really feel like we have a lot of potential with this group,” Coach Hudnut said. “All four aspects of the game — pitching, defense, hitting and base running — we feel like we have elements of all of that to be a really strong team.” … Parsons is 5-0 with 0.00 earned run average in 24 1/3 innings. Webb is 1-0 with three saves and has a 0.00 ERA in 19 1/3 innings.

PCM 6, Roland-Story 0 MONROE — Steenhoek belted a three-run home run and Parsons and Webb combined for a two-hitter in the circle during the Mustangs’ win over Roland-Story on May 31.

PCM broke open a one-run game with a three-run fourth and a two-run fifth during a 6-0 home triumph in Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference play.

Steenhoek’s first homer of the season came in the fourth, and seven different Mustangs had the team’s seven hits.

“That’s going to be our biggest thing this year,” Coach Hudnut said. “We graduated five seniors who played a long time for us. We have a lot of new starters with not a lot of varsity experience so finding that mesh of who’s going to fit where and what pieces fit well where is going to be the key. Things are going well so far.”

Humpal, Lindsay, Winters, Millang, Addi Hudnut and Kyra Naeve had the other hits. Humpal scored two runs, walked once and stole one base, Steenhoek walked once and had three RBIs and Addi Hudnut

Parsons and Webb combined to spin another shutout in the circle. Parsons struck out nine in her four innings, while Webb allowed no runs and no hits and struck out four in collecting a three-inning save.

PCM led 1-0 after one, improved the margin to 3-0 after two and added three runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to complete the win.

Winters led the offense with three hits, one run and two steals and Humpal had two hits, including a double, and registered one run and one RBI.

Millang’s night included two hits, two RBIs and her first varsity homer and Steenhoek, Drake, Keuning, Webb and Naeve all had one hit.

Naeve added one run and one RBI, Keuning drove in one run and Wood scored one run and stole two bases and Webb swiped one base. DeVore and Addi Hudnut each scored one run and Lindsay collected one RBI.

Parsons earned the win after allowing no earned runs on one hit and two walks.

The loss dropped Perry to 2-5 and 2-3 in the conference.

PCM 3, Chariton 0

MONROE — A three-run first inning was all the Mustangs needed against Chariton on May 28.

PCM got two hits from Drake and Parsons and Webb combined on a three-hitter in the circle during a 3-0 non-conference home win over the Chargers.

PCM out-hit Chariton 4-3 and took advantage of a pair of Charger errors.

Drake doubled and scored one run, Steenhoek doubled and walked once and Addi Hudnut added one hit and two RBIs.

Lindsay was hit by a pitch and scored one run, Winters walked once and had one RBI and Wood scored one run.

Parsons earned the win in the circle after allowing no runs on two hits and striking out four in four innings.

Webb allowed no runs and one hit to claim the three-inning save. Lucy Stratton had one hit to lead Chariton, which came into the game ranked No. 13 in 3A. Stratton also took the pitching loss after allowing three earned runs and striking out

four. The Chargers are now 3-5.

By Troy Hyde PCM Explorer

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer

PCM head softball coach Shaun Hudnut, center, congratulates his daughter Addi after she hit her first career varsity home run during the Mustangs’ 7-1 win over Grand View Christian on May 30. PCM is now 6-1 and 4-0 in the conference.

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer

PCM junior Addison Steenhoek snags a pop fly in foul territory against Grand View Christian on May 30. Steenhoek’s three-run homer led the Mustangs against Roland-Story on May 31.

Explorer PCM

BASEBALL

PCM’s bats wake up in win over rival Roland-Story

By Troy Hyde PCM

PRAIRIE CITY — The PCM baseball team entered its Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference matchup with Class 2A No. 10 Roland-Story with a batting average of .195.

And the only player on the roster who is hitting better than .300 is senior Easton Webb.

While Webb’s stellar hitting continued against the state-ranked Norse, several other Mustangs got their bats going, too, and it all resulted in an 8-1 triumph on May 31.

“It’s been a rough start to the season, but it was about time our bats exploded a little bit,” Webb said.

Roland-Story scored first, but PCM tied the game in the third and then blew it open with a five-run fifth.

That was more than enough run support for Trenner Van Dyke, who pitched into the sixth inning and improved to 2-0 following another stellar performance on the mound.

Van Dyke and Shay Burns combined to shut down the Norse, who came into the contest with an on-base percentage of .425.

They limited Roland-Story to six hits and the Norse were plagued by four errors.

“The big thing was changing our approach at the plate,” PCM head baseball coach Lewis Daye said. “We need to be simple and be more contact-oriented. We don’t need to try to knock the ball out of the park every time. Getting rid of that mentality helped.”

Trailing 1-0 in the third inning, senior Nick Farver reached on an infield single and then stole second base. Kaleb DeVries also reached on an infield single and then Webb’s RBI single tied the game at 1-all.

All four R-S errors came in PCM’s five-run fifth. Farver started the rally with a single and then took second on a throwing error by the catcher.

With one out, Webb strolled back to the dish and delivered another RBI single to give the Mustangs (3-5, 2-2 in the conference) a lead they wouldn’t give up.

Webb finished with two hits, one walk, one run and two RBIs in the win, while Farver added two hits, two runs and a stolen base.

“I kind of went up there with an attack approach,” Webb said. “We needed to score in those spots so I tried to jump on the first fastball I saw.

“After drawing that first walk, every other atbat seemed to be in my favor.”

The inning continued when senior Gabe Hobbs reached on an error and then took second on another miscue. He scored on senior Jack Jungling’s RBI single.

After Trigg Steenhoek doubled to put two runners in scoring position, Jensson Hood’s RBI single made it 5-1 before Steenhoek eventually scored on what turned out to be a double steal with Hood.

DeVries singled and stole second and third in the sixth. With two outs, Hobbs walked before Jungling’s RBI single. Hobbs scored on a wild pitch to cap the scoring.

“I’ve known that our group of seniors will take the reins and do what you saw tonight eventually,” Daye said. “I have been waiting for them and this moment since they were freshmen.

“We finally woke up a little bit. We maybe finally believed in our potential.”

Van Dyke allowed just an unearned run following a two-out error in the first. But it certainly wasn’t an easy night for the junior pitcher.

Roland-Story (7-5, 2-2) had several long at-bats and forced Van Dyke into a high pitch count.

He eventually left the game at around 114 pitches in the sixth. He’s now 2-0 though after allowing no earned runs with four hits, three walks and one hit batter. He also fanned six in 5 2/3 innings.

Burns got the final four outs and allowed two hits while striking out one.

The Norse stranded eight runners on base. They left one at third in the first, one at second in the fourth and two in scoring position in the third against Van Dyke.

Burns entered the game with runners on second and third and two outs in the sixth.

Roland-Story loaded the bases after an infield single, but Burns got out of the jam after a ground out to shortstop.

“He gives the same thing every outing, which is a calm, cool and collected mindset,” Daye said about Van Dyke. “That really helps him battle through the tougher moments. He doesn’t let anything get to him. He just makes them hit the next one. He’s always got that next-pitch mentality. He’s battle tested and mentally tough.”

The defense also helped both Van Dyke and Burns get out of trouble.

In the fifth, Farver made a sliding catch in foul territory for the second out.

Steenhoek ended the game in the top of the seventh with maybe the best defensive play of his career at shortstop. Running away from the infield, he made a full-extension, diving catch in short left field after holding a Norse runner at second base before the pitch.

DeVries finished with three hits, one run and two steals, Jungling produced two RBIs on his two hits and Hobbs tallied one hit, one walk and two runs.

Steenhoek doubled, scored one run and stole one base, Hood singled, had one RBI and stole one base and Jacob Wendt was hit by a pitch. Jaden Houser scored as a courtesy runner for Jungling in the fifth.

The Mustangs stranded seven runners on base in the game, including two each in the first and third.

“It can give us a lot of confidence and shows that we can compete in this conference,” Webb said. “We have a big conference week coming up next week so having some

momentum should help us.”

Brett Schmitz led the Norse with two doubles. William Zamzow also had two hits and Gavin Jeter collected one hit and one walk.

Cael Faber (2-3) took the pitching loss for Roland-Story. He was pulled in the fifth after allowing the five runs. Aiden Frey finished the game but allowed two runs in 1 2/3 innings.

Notes: PCM defeated Roland-Story for just the second time since 2020. “I think it will boost our conference and it tells them we are one of the best teams in this conference if we play our game like we did tonight,” Daye said. … The eight runs scored by PCM were a season high. The previous high was seven in a win over Greene County… Roland-Story has now lost four of its past five games and has been outscored 44-10 in those losses.

Perry 4, PCM 3

PERRY — PCM and Perry finished with the same number of hits in their HOIAC baseball matchup on May 29.

The Mustangs’ six hits helped them score three runs in the first three innings, but the Bluejays rallied in their final two at-bats and Owen Myers pitched into the seventh during a 4-3 home victory.

PCM plated one run in the first and two in the third but couldn’t prevent Perry from taking a lead in the game. The Bluejays scored twice in both the fifth and sixth frames.

Steenhoek finished with three of the Mustangs’ six hits, scored one run and had one RBI, while DeVries tallied one hit, one run, one RBI and two walks.

DeVries improved his team-best on-base percentage to .538 and he’s totaled a teamhigh six runs and nine walks.

Jungling doubled, had one RBI and was hit by one pitch, Farver tallied one hit and one run, Webb walked twice and Hobbs totaled one walk, one steal and one hit by pitch. Alex Wendt also was hit by a pitch.

Webb’s on-base percentage improved to

.538, which is tied with DeVries for the team lead.

Farver (0-3) took the loss on the mound after allowing four earned runs on four hits with two walks and one hit batter in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out eight.

Carson Hansen got the final out and did not allow a hit or a run.

Myers (1-1) lowered his earned run average to 1.94 after allowing two earned runs on four hits, five walks and three hit batters in 6 2/3 innings. He earned the win and struck out six.

Geren Kenney led the Bluejays (4-5, 2-2) with two hits and two RBIs and got a one-out save. Mason Hayes also had two hits.

Mustangs earn split with Williamsburg WILLIAMSBURG — The Mustangs salvaged a non-conference split against Williamsburg on May 28 after rallying past the Raiders in the nightcap.

PCM fell 5-1 in the opener but used a three-

run fourth to down the Raiders, 4-2, in the second game.

The Mustangs totaled five hits and one error in both games. Williamsburg registered three hits and committed two errors in the nightcap.

Farver and Webb each had two hits in Game 2 to lead PCM’s offense. Webb also walked once, had one RBI and was hit by a pitch and Farver tallied one run and one RBI.

DeVries walked three times and scored one run, Hobbs finished with one hit, one walk and one steal and Jacob Wendt walked twice and scored one run.

Steenhoek walked once and had one RBI, Alex Wendt was hit by a pitch and scored a run and Jungling and Hood both walked once.

Van Dyke earned the win on the mound after allowing no runs and three hits with three strikeouts and one walk in four innings.

Jacob Wendt started the game and surrendered two runs — one earned — on four walks and he

struck out three in three innings.

Nile Sinn led the Raiders (4-6) with one hit, one walk, two runs and three steals. Carson Grier added one hit and two walks. In the opener, Farver, DeVries, Webb, Jungling and Hobbs all finished with one hit.

Jungling doubled, walked once and had one RBI, DeVries and Webb each walked once, Farver scored one run and Hobbs stole one base. Steenhoek also walked once. The Mustangs struck out nine times at the plate.

Hood (0-1) started on the mound and took the loss after allowing four earned runs on eight hits and two walks and he struck out three in three innings.

Burns tossed the final three innings and surrendered one earned run on two hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

Sinn doubled twice at the plate and earned the pitching win to lead Williamsburg. Logan Rethwisch had two hits and two RBIs.

Explorer

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer

PCM junior Trigg Steenhoek, lower left, slides safely into home during the Mustangs’ 8-1 win over Roland-Story on May 31. It was the best offensive night of the season for PCM.

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