Since 2016, only one Keota softball team had reached two wins or more, that is until Friday night. The Eagles sent Cassie Swantz and Emily Sheetz off in style with a Senior Night comeback against Belle Plaine 8-6.

Addy Purkeypile stepped up in the circle after facing adversity early. The sophomore allowed four of her six runs in the opening frame. It was four hits from the Plainswomen, while Purkeypile hit two. Only six Belle Plain hitters would reach the rest of the way.

Keota came up empty in their first two trips to the plate, but finally broke through in the third. A pair of two-out walks for Lexus Detweiler and Maya Dalton followed a single from Kennedy Jackson. All three would score on past balls, and the Eagles were within one. Purkeypile, with a defense behind her that made plays when they needed to, retired the next six Plainswomen.

Belle Plaine ended up getting some insurance in the fifth when Jacey Reineke led off with a home run. Their pitcher, Taylor Johnson would also score after one of her three hits, making it 6-3 visitors. In the bottom half, the seven through nine hitters for Keota, continued to produce. Dalton scored again, as did Halle Heisdorffer on the heels of a double in the gap.

Trailing 6-5, Keota found itself within striking distance. Purkeypile worked quickly in the sixth, but the Eagles still hadn’t been able to jump in front. Jackson led off with a walk and Cameron Haifley followed with a single. Jackson came around to tie it, and then with her second double of the game, Heisdorffer untied it. The Eagles took an 8-6 lead into the seventh and closed the door behind more excellent defense. Purkeypile allowed nine total hits and didn’t walk anyone in the victory. Johnson went the distance for Belle Plaine, striking out five and walking three in the losing effort.

Keota wraps up the regular season Monday at English Valleys, while the Plainswomen host Tipton for a double-header for their Senior Night.