Photo by David Borer: St. Edmond's Lauren Gibb connects for her home run in Webster City on Wednesday.

WEBSTER CITY — The seventh-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond softball team set the stage on Wednesday evening for an upcoming showdown with Clear Lake at Rogers Park.

Behind a six-run fifth inning, the Gaels put Webster City away with an 11-2 victory behind a one-hit performance from Toryn Helle inside the circle.

Now, St. Edmond (17-9 overall, 8-1 in the North Central Conference) has positioned itself for a Friday contest with co-league leader Clear Lake at home. The Lions ended a lengthy NCC win streak for the Gaels earlier this year on their home field, rallying to edge St. Edmond by a final of 6-5.

Helle struck out five over five innings without allowing a walk.

“It was great that the girls were focused and not looking ahead to the Clear Lake game,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “We came out and got on the board in the first to give Toryn some run support. From there, she was in control inside the circle.”

At the plate, Faith Shirbroun and Lauren Gibb both hit home runs, as Shirbroun drove in four with a fifth inning grand slam and Gibb two. Both scored twice, as did Ella Vandi.

St. Edmond plated two in the first and three in the third before breaking out in the final inning.

“We got after it there in the fifth to put the game away,” Shirbroun said. “We took advantage of the walks we had and did a nice job at the plate.”

Mariah Myers, Helle and Sophia Schlienz each had a hit, with Schlienz belting a double. Shirbroun was walked twice on the evening, as the Gaels were issued seven free passes in all.

For the Lynx, Morgan Tempel and Morgan Hackbarth both drove in a run.

The Gaels, who have won four in a row, head to Saydel on Thursday night for a non-conference game at 7 p.m. before hosting Clear Lake Friday night.