ALLEMAN — The Ames Little Cyclones saw their unbeaten streak come to an end Friday night as North Polk scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally for a 7-4 victory.
Ames entered the matchup undefeated after sweeping a doubleheader against Mason City. North Polk arrived with a 2-1 record and momentum from an 8-2 upset over second-ranked Carlisle in 13 innings.
North Polk struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Ava Koudelka launched a solo home run to give the Comets a 1-0 lead.
The Little Cyclones responded in the top of the third, scoring a run to tie the game at 1-1. Both teams added two runs in the fourth inning. Ames then scored another run in the top of the fifth inning to take a 4-3 lead.
Several players contributed offensively as the game remained tight. North Polk’s Audrey Lucas recorded a triple. Ames’ Taylor Glenney hit a triple, Mya Geffre collected two singles and Kate Nigh scored a run.
Ames was held scoreless in the top of the sixth inning, setting the stage for North Polk’s rally in the bottom half.
Koudelka started it off with an RBI single. Alexandra Mohlke followed with a single before Lucas delivered a ground-rule double that drove in two runs. Amelia Kelsick capped the inning with an RBI single, helping the Comets score four runs and take a 7-4 lead.
Ames had a final opportunity in the top of the seventh inning but was unable to generate a comeback.
The Comets overcame five defensive errors, compared with just one by Ames. North Polk’s six hits narrowly edged Ames’ five-hit performance and proved enough to complete the comeback.
Next: Ames will return to action Monday with a doubleheader in Marshalltown at 5 and 7 p.m.
