Storm Lake, Ia (Northwest Iowa Now) – Spencer hit the road on Thursday night to play Storm Lake and wrap up Lakes Conference play for the season.

Two of the best pitchers in the Lakes Conference squared off with Jersey Vail entering the circle for the Tigers and Avery DeHaan for the Tornadoes.

After a 3-up-3-down top of the 1st, Storm Lake was able to bring across two unearned runs in the bottom on 3 combined Tiger Errors.

Spencer was once again unable to get a baserunner in the top of the 2nd inning. The Tornadoes began to threaten again, putting runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out, but Vail battled out of it with a couple of strikeouts.

Avery DeHaan only seemed to get better in the circle for Storm Lake, going through the first part of the Spencer Lineup without allowing a baserunner.

As the Spencer defense settled in, Vail retired batters in order in the 3rd and 4th innings, adding 3 more strikeouts to her game total in those frames.

Spencer would pick up their first hit of the game off the bat from Brynn Merchant but couldn’t bring her across in the 5th, as DeHaan unleashed a fire ball for the final out in the inning.

In the Bottom of the 6th inning, Storm Lake was able to string together a good offensive sequence, with a walk, sacrifice bunt to move the runner to 2nd, then back-to-back RBI singles from Grace Kenkel to drive in Maddy Raveling, then Lillie Hoffman to bring across Kenkel.

Storm Lake held the 4-0 lead through the top of the 7th and went on to pick up their 19th win on the year, locking up sole possession of 2nd place in the Lakes Conference.

Spencer falls to 7-11 and have dropped 7 straight, finishing 3rd in the Lakes Conference.

Avery DeHaan threw 7 innings allowing only 2 hits with 0 runs and striking out 5.

Jersey Vail took the loss, throwing 6 innings with 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 of them earned, walking 2 and fanning 6.

Both teams will participate in the Spencer Invite beginning this morning through Saturday.