-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Kaili Henning of St. Edmond pitches against Webster City on Monday at Rogers Park

Mariah Myers and Toryn Helle both hit home runs, Kaili Henning spun a three-hitter with nine strikeouts and the fifth-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond softball team grabbed control of the North Central Conference here Monday.

The Gaels picked up a 4-0 victory over Webster City in a clash of league unbeatens entering the night at Rogers Park.

Myers had a solo blast in the first off Delainey Bargfrede, sending a 1-1 pitch over the fence in left. The junior, who has committed to the University of Iowa, was 2-for-4 on the night, adding a double.

Helle, an eighth-grader, hit her homer in the fifth on a 2-1 pitch, easily clearing the fence in center.

“That was a lot of fun,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “Delainey is a very good pitcher but we saw some excellent competition this and that got us ready (for Monday night).

“The girls came out and I thought we really hit the ball well all game long.”

Meanwhile, Henning, a senior, kept the Lynx hitters at bay. She allowed a double to Bonnie Nohrenberg in the first before retiring seven in a row and nine of 10.

Henning, who is headed to Loras College in the fall, retired the side in the second, fourth, fifth and seventh innings. She is now 45-10 in her St. Edmond (13-5 overall, 7-0 in NCC) career with 534 strikeouts.

“My rise and curve were really working for me,” Henning said. “And my change was on point. I just felt a lot of confidence with each pitch that I threw.

“We knew this would be an important game to protect our home turf and in terms of the conference race. We came out ready to go.”

Helle and Payton Bradley both had RBI doubles in the third to provide some insurance runs for Henning. Lauren Gibb, who singled and stole second, and Helle scored.

“That was a big hit for Payton,” Shirbroun said. “And Toryn, we moved her down from the 3-hole in the lineup and I think that took some pressure off of her. She is a great player and now is playing with more confidence and looks relaxed at the plate.”

Henning and Ansley Oswald each added a hit for the Gaels while Nohrenberg was 2-for-3 and Ava Peterson had a single for Webster City (10-6, 7-1).

This win for St. Edmond gave them a 15-14 edge in the series vs. the Lynx since 2009, as the two split their season battles over the previous three years. During that stretch, the Gaels have scored 20 runs and Webster City has plated 15.

St. Edmond continues its busy week back here on Tuesday as they conclude a previously suspended game vs. No. 9 Newell-Fonda beginning at 5:30 p.m. The two will square off for a second time immediately following.

The Lynx host Clarion-Goldfield/Dows on Wednesday night.

ST. EDMOND 4, WEBSTER CITY 0

Webster City 000 000 0 — 0 3 4

St. Edmond 102 010 x — 4 7 1

WP–Kaili Henning (9-3, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 9 K, 1 BB). LP–Delainey Bargfrede (10-1, 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 K, 0 BB).

HR–SE: Mariah Myers, Toryn Helle. 2B–WC: Bonnie Nohrenberg; SE: Mariah Myers, Toryn Helle, Payton Bradley. RBI–SE: Mariah Myers, Toryn Helle (2), Payton Bradley. SB–WC: Adeline Tesdahl; SE: Lauren Gibb.