The Indianola softball and baseball teams started off their seasons on the right foot Monday evening, sweeping Newton in Little Hawkeye Conference play with the softball squad winning 9-0 in a game heard live on 94.3 KNIA, and baseball winning 4-1. Indianola softball got off to a quick start with a 3-0 lead after the first two innings capitalizing on Newton mistakes, then blew the game open in the third. Both Bella Bingaman and Destiny Lewis hit two-run bombs for the Indians, who ballooned the lead to 8-0. Head coach Stacy Evans tells KNIA Sports it’s good to get the first win out of the way.

“The girls were eager in the beginning, then they became aggressive. It flipped to a new level. I get it, there is a little bit of jitters for the first game out. But every night they can come out here and do some competing is only going to make them better and some of that will dissipate a little more with the aggressive taking over.”

Kate Kralik struck out twelve in the circle for the complete game shutout win, while Brynn Ortlund and Bingaman each had a pair of hits.

The Indians baseball squad also started off strong despite not getting many clutch hits. The Indians took advantage of Newton errors and free opportunities from walks to score one run in each of the first four innings. Nick Piper got the win on the mound, with Matt McKnight picking up the save. Both Indians squads are now 1-0, and baseball will take on Pella tonight in a game that can be heard live on 94.3 KNIA. Pregame coverage begins at 7:15, with first pitch scheduled for 7:30.