Bonython blasts three home runs in Labette's sweep of Iowa Central

“She just works,” Labette head coach Ryan Phillips said. “She’s one of the most knowledgeable players I’ve ever had. She’s constantly working on everything we talk about. She has such a good inside-out swing. She can be late and still hit a ball hard to the opposite field.”

WALK IT OFF AUSSIE!Labette (@LCCSB) finishes a sweep of Iowa Central with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 8th of Game 2 from Hayley Bonython, the third-year Cardinal from Australia.Labette won Game 1 11-5, Game 2 5-4. pic.twitter.com/Uuek4MDxMF

— Sean Frye (@SeanEFrye) February 26, 2023

Labette’s 16 runs were a welcome sight after getting shut out in two games at Hutchinson in last Tuesday’s season opener.

“We just simplified things. We’re pretty technical with everything,” Phillips said. “The last couple of days, we just worked on putting the barrel on the ball. We needed to quit overanalyzing every cut and every pitch. That relaxed our hitters.” 

Raven Hough got the win in the circle in Game 1 for the Cardinals while Lexi Miller lasted all eight frames to earn the victory in Game 2.

Bonython, who arrived to Labette as a catcher, lined up at first base against Iowa Central. Winter Snyder, the returning All-American bat for the Cardinals, spent the day behind the dish.

Phillips will platoon both of them throughout the campaign to mitigate fatigue.

“We’ll keep both of them fresh,” Phillips said. “We have to keep both of them in the lineup. It’ll come down to how we feel that day and understanding their mindsets.” 

Up Next

Labette faces Division I Butler on Tuesday in Parsons. 

LABETTE VS. IOWA CENTRAL

Game 1

Labette 11, Iowa Central 5

Iowa Central: 000 140 0 — 5

Labette:         202 151 x — 11

Scoring

Labette: Emma Welch 2 H, 2 R, 3 RBI; Hayley Bonython 3 H, 2 R, 3 RBI; Ellie Facklam 1 R; Keira Jackson 1 R; Maggie McKee 1 H, 2 R; Abby Tubach 1 H; Katie Crowe 1 H, 1 RBI; Kaila Kaahu 1 H, 1 R; Raven Hough (W) 7 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 2 K

Iowa Central: Harmon 1 H, 1 RBI; Hajek 1 H, 1 R; McKinney 1 H, 1 R; Ballard 1 H; Melli 1 H, 1 RBI; Topp 1 H, 2 R, 3 RBI; Carney 1 R; Lee (L) 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K; Gilroy 2 IP, 2 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K

Game 2 stats are not yet available