-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Mariah Myers of St. Edmond hits a home run against Mason City on Saturday at Rogers Park

Mariah Myers has hit countless home runs throughout her softball career. The future University of Iowa Hawkeye even has several multi-home run games.

But Saturday at the St. Edmond Invitational, the Gael senior accomplished something even she had never done before.

Myers hit not one, but two longballs during a 12-run fifth inning vs. Mason City as St. Edmond rolled to an 18-3 victory at Rogers Park. The seventh-ranked (Class 1A) Gaels would drop a hard-fought 2-1 battle to No. 6 (3A) Estherville-LC in the second game of the event.

St. Edmond connected on four home runs in all during the win over the Riverhawks, as Toryn Helle and Myrah Lemon also went deep. Myers finished 3-for-4 with six RBI, three runs scored, a stolen base and a walk, adding to her state-leading total.

“It felt really good especially since my other teammates also hit some in that inning,” Myers said. “I’m happy with the way we are playing and I can’t wait to see how it turns out in the postseason – especially with home-field advantage.

“I’m grateful that we get to host so that us seniors can spend as much time on our field as we can.”

Along with Myers, fellow senior Lauren Gibb, Toryn Helle and Schlienz each had three hits vs. Mason City. Gibb had two doubles, Helle drove in four while Lemon plated a pair of runs.

Hadley Oswald, another senior, had two hits with an RBI and a double, Jade Rock and Ella Vandi both scored twice, and Faith Shirbroun had three runs scored with an RBI.

“It was great to see us come out and take care of business,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “We are just looking to continue to build momentum towards the final week of the season before we get into the postseason.”

Rihanna Myers and Vandi both stole two bases as the Gaels piled up 10 steals as a team.

St. Edmond concluded the day with a loss to Estherville-LC, a top contender in 3A. The Midgets scored a run in the first and plated the winning run in the fifth.

Gibb had two hits and two stolen bases while Oswald had a double. Rihanna Myers scored the lone run with two more steals.

Helle allowed just six hits with two strikeouts and one walk inside the circle.

“That was a really good game because that is the kind of intensity and environment we are going to face if we want to make it back to state,” Shirbroun said. “Estherville-LC is a quality team and we really battled with them.”

St. Edmond returns to North Central Conference action on Monday when they travel to Algona. First-pitch is set for 7:30 p.m.