Ranked larger schools continue to be only blemish on Kee softball’s season record
The Kee softball sister tandem of junior Courtney Cooper (above photo) and sophomore Kendra Cooper (photo below) each approach a warm welcome at home plate after launching round-trip flights around the basepaths in game one of the Hawks’ home doubleheader sweep of North Fayette Valley Monday, June 13. In addition to their homeruns, each also posted another hit in the contest, with Courtney driving in a team-high three runs and Kendra driving in two more in that 8-0 first-game victory. Photos by Jordyn Burroughs. View and find out how to purchase these photos and more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link.
by Val Meyer
The Kee softball team kept its season-long trend on track this week, continuing to rule the Upper Iowa Conference (UIC) with another pair of doubleheader sweeps in league play, and continuing to wage war against some of the top teams in much larger classes during weekend tournaments in an effort to keep improving as a team. The Hawks’ UIC dominance continued its undefeated streak with twinbill winnings of 8-0 and 12-1 in five innings at home over North Fayette Valley Monday, June 13 and 10-0 in five innings and 5-0 over Edgewood-Colesburg at home Wednesday, June 15.
Now ranked second in the latest Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Class 1A poll, the Hawks then traveled to Manchester Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18 to compete in the high-powered West Delaware Tournament, winning three of four games they played. That lone loss came in another toe-to-toe battle with a larger school ranked among its class elite, but the Hawks were also able to avenge one of its previous losses to a larger ranked school during the tournament as well. A split of two games Friday, June 17 saw Kee defeat Independence, 5-0, but fall to Class 5A 10th-rated Bettendorf by a 7-0 result. But in Saturday’s competition, the Hawks were able to pay back Class 3A 10th-rated Crestwood from a loss earlier in the season with a 6-2 triumph, and also escaped with a 7-6 victory over Monticello to wrap up the tournament.
“The team played great softball all week long,” Kee head softball coach Liz Hill said. “We are continuously improving as the season moves along.”
Improving their Upper Iowa Conference (UIC) undefeated streak to 12 straight games, and holding a 19-4 overall record, the Lady Hawks were next scheduled to play their final home game of the regular season when they host Central Elkader for an UIC doubleheader Monday, June 20 before making up a May 31 doubleheader rain-out at New Hampton Tuesday, June 21. The Lady Hawks will continue their busy week with another road date at Sumner-Fredericksburg Wednesday, June 22 before playing in the Decorah Tournament Saturday, June 25. Kee will then wrap up its regular season on the road with doubleheaders at Turkey Valley Monday, June 27 and at South Winneshiek Thursday, June 30 before competing in the Don Bosco Tournament Friday and Saturday, July 1 and 2.
For more complete coverage, pick up this week's print edition or subscribe to our e-edition by clicking here.
