It was an impressive pair of run-rule victories for the Holton softball team in their home opener against Big 7 and county rival Royal Valley on Monday night.  The Wildcats scored 10 runs on 8 hits in the first inning of game one and never looked back in a 18-3 victory in three innings and a 14-0 decison in the night cap.  

Jewel Lutz pitched game one for the Wildcats, who are now 5-1 on the season, coming off a 21-4 campaign and third place state finish a year ago.  Freshman, Gracie Gallagher tossed a one-hit shutout with seven strikeouts for the game two victory.  Holton led 5-0 going into the fourth frame and scored eight to put the contest out of reach.  Moore and Flewelling each had two hits in the second game while combining for four runs and five RBI while Paige Crouch added a two-run single.    

After hitting six total home runs last week, Bailey Flewelling and Abby Boeckman went deep in the first game for the Lady Cats while Kinleigh Rhodd was 3-3 with a trio of RBI and two runs scored.  Lauryn Moore added three RBI while Gallagher had a pair of hits and scored three times and Ally Beard and Flewelling had a multi-hit game.  Grace Utz chipped in two RBI and a pair of runs scored in the opener.    

Jenna Elmer had a three-run homer for Royal Valley in the second inning and Alexis Hancock had two hits for the Panthers who dropped to 5-4 on the season.