-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Ansley Oswald of St. Emond reaches for first base against GTRA on Thursday at Rogers Park

The sixth-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond softball team was hit with their first major bump in the road here Thursday night.

During an 11-run first inning vs. GTRA, University of Iowa commit Mariah Myers was forced out of the game with an injury. The Gaels would go on to defeat the Titans in five, 12-1.

Myers had a pair of doubles and drove in two during the extended frame.

“We are hopeful that it isn’t anything serious,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “The trainer looked at her and we’ll see how things progress over the next few days.”

St. Edmond has a busy stretch ahead, as they head to North Central Conference rival Humboldt on Friday before competing in the Van Meter Tournament Saturday. Next week, the Gaels (7-0 overall) play Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, No. 2 (4A) North Polk, Clear Lake and are entered in the two-day Jack North Tournament hosted by top-ranked (5A) Waukee Northwest.

“We’ll shift things around and go from there,” Shirbroun said. “These girls have a strong desire and passion, and they’ll be ready to go.”

Hadley Oswald drove in two runs, Josie Harvey, Lauren Gibb and Myrah Lemon each scored twice, and eighth-grader Toryn Helle picked up her first varsity win inside the circle.

Helle came on for Faith Shirbroun after the injury to Myers moved players around the diamond. She pitched the final four innings, striking out six while allowing just two hits.

“Toryn pitched great,” Shirbroun said. “We’ve seen what she can do at the JV level this year and she stepped right in and did great. We have a strong defense behind her and they stepped up as well.”

St. Edmond sent 15 batters to the plate in the opening inning, receiving six walks while taking advantage of several passed balls and an error. However, they would not score again until the fourth, leaving the bases loaded in the second.

Gibb and Ansley Oswald each stole a base as Gibb had a two-RBI triple.

“I’m disappointed in that,” Shirbroun said. “We have to keep the pedal to the medal in these situations regardless of who we are playing.”

ST. EDMOND 12, GTRA 1 (5 inn.)

GTRA 010 00 — 1 4 4

St. Edmond (11)00 1x — 12 4 1

WP–Toryn Helle (1-0, 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K, 0 BB). LP–Addison Hansen (0-3, 1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 K, 9 BB).

3B–SE: Lauren Gibb. 2B–SE: Mariah Myers (2), Hadley Oswald. RBI–SE: Mariah Myers (2), Toryn Helle, Lauren Gibb (2), Hadley Oswald. SB–SE: Ansley Oswald, Lauren Gibb. LOB–GTRA: 6; SE: 4.