Byron Bears defeat HVL Rival Stewartville 6-0

PHOTO BY BECKY MATHRE

Kaydence Fjerstad (left), Hattie Mathre (center), and Ella Brennan (right) celebrate Mathre’s center field catch to end the first inning with no hits.

The Byron Bears softball team delivered a dominant performance on the road Tuesday night, shutting out HVL rival Stewartville 6-0 at Stewartville High School behind timely hitting and stellar pitching.
Byron wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Kaydence Fjerstad ignited the offense in the opening inning by launching a solo home run, giving the Bears an immediate 1-0 advantage.
The pressure continued in the top of the second inning. Sydney Portner jump-started the rally with a line-drive single to center field and was moved along by hits from Ella Brennan and Caliegh Barrone. Macy Behringer then drove in Portner with a clutch hit to score the Bears’ second run of the game.
Byron added to its lead in the third inning when Tallie Behrens singled to left field before scoring on Fjerstad’s second home run of the game, extending the Bears’ lead to 4-0. The Bears continued to apply pressure, scoring in every inning and keeping Stewartville on its heels throughout the game.
In the fifth inning, Fjerstad was intentionally walked, but Byron again capitalized. Hattie Mathre laid down a bunt single to move Fjerstad to third base, and Mackenzie Steele followed with a single to left field to bring Fjerstad home and make it 5-0.
The Bears finished the game with 13 total hits, with Brennan, Behrens, Behringer, Steele, Portner, and Fjerstad each collecting two hits.
In the circle, Steele dominated from start to finish. The right-hander earned the win by pitching all seven innings, allowing no runs on just one hit while striking out nine Stewartville batters.
Byron: Ella Brennan 2-for-4; Tallie Behrens 2-for-4 1 R; Kaydence Fjerstad 2-for-2, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R; Hattie Mathre 1-for-3; Macy Behringer 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 SB; Mackenzie Steele 2-for-4; Sydney Portner 2-for-4 1 R. Pitchers: Mackenzie Steele (WP) 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K.

 Mackenzie Steele pitchers for Byron against Stewartville. The righty, pitched seven innings, allowing one hit with no runs, striking out nine.

 Sydney Portner looks to score during Byron’s game against Stewartville.

 Hattie Mathre slides into third  base during the Stewartville versus Byron game.

 Kaydence Fjerstad runs home after her solo home run in the top of the first inning. Fjerstads home run, got the Bears off to an early lead that helped the Bears to a 6-0 win over the Tigers.

 Macy Behringer singles a hit during the Stewartville versus  Byron game.