Hounds split with Davenport North; fall to BHS

DAVENPORT – The Fort Madison Bloodhounds softball team split a doubleheader at Davenport North Wednesday night.
The Lady Hounds won the first game in a 3-0 shutout, but the Wildcats returned the favor with a 4-0 win in the nightcap.
Lauryn Helmick went 2-4 with a couple runs scored in the opener. Emily Steffensmeier went 2-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Erika Kruse had two hits, while Neeley Rehm and Alivia Holmes had one hit each.
Rehm went the distance for Fort Madison in the circle allowing five hits and no runs while striking out eight.
Helmick and Steffensmeier opened the game with back-to-back singles. Helmick would score on a throwing error and Steffensmeier would come around on a passed ball to give the Hounds the early 2-0 lead. Helmick would score the other run in the seventh inning when she singled with two outs and Steffensmeier doubled to left center, scoring Helmick all the way from first.
In the second game, Kruse took the loss going six innings and allowing four runs, two earned on five hits, while fanning two and walking two.
Davenport gave up six hits, but held the Hounds scoreless as Fort Madison hits were scattered through the innings. Rehm led the Hounds with two hits in three at bats. Helmick, Kylie Lumino, and Elle Ruble also had a hit apiece.
The Hounds also suffered a loss Thursday night 5-0 at Burlington to the Grayhounds. Their third loss to BHS over the past week.
Rehm took the loss allowing six hits and five runs, all earned, while walking three and striking out one. Helmick had the only hit for Fort Madison.
The Bloodhounds are in the Linn-Mar/Alburnette tourney this weekend where they’ll take on Center-Point Urbana and Iowa City High. They wrap up the regular season next week starting with a doubleheader at Baxter Sports Complex against Mt. Pleasant on Monday.