Thursday, July 25, 2024
Vol. 5, No. 49
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer The PCM softball team celebrates its first-ever state tournament berth after a 13-1 win over No. 9 Clarinda on July 16. The No. 8 Mustangs ended the game early after an eight-run fourth inning.
Mustang Muscle:
PCM softball thumps Clarinda for first state berth No. 8 Mustangs make history after four-inning win over No. 9 Cardinals By Troy Hyde PCM Explorer MONROE — Having never qualified for the state tournament before,
the PCM softball team didn’t need any extra motivation in its Class 3A Region 2 championship game on July 16. But a few comments
and opinions from Clarinda’s side certainly served as that and the Mustangs used it to their advantage during a 13-1 triumph over the Cardi-
nals. PCM scored early and often and ended the game after four innings to clinch its first-ever state softball tournament
berth. “We had a lot of motivation. They didn’t want us to host this game,” Addison Steenhoek said. “You don’t come into our
house and not expect us to give a good fight.” The Mustangs came into the game ranked eighth in 3A and Clarinda was ninth. The higher ranked team gets to host the regional finals, and the Cardinals simply felt like they should have been ranked higher. It was PCM though that showed its worth, scoring three runs in the first, two in the second and eight in the fourth. “Clarinda is an excellent team. They had an argument to be eighth,” PCM head softball coach Shaun Hudnut said. “We heard the things that were said. It was probably more of a joke, but at this point, you use anything as motivation. They definitely had an argument to host, but we were ranked a little higher. I’m glad we got to host and prove that we deserved that ranking.” PCM opened its first state tournament with a quarterfinal matchup against No. 2 Williamsburg (30-12) on July 22 in Fort Dodge. The Mustangs out-hit SOFTBALL | 10A
RIP-ROARING COUNTY FAIR RODEO The stands were packed for the Jasper County Fair Rodeo, which featured cowboys and cowgirls on bucking broncos, barrel racing and trying to finish 8 seconds on fired up bulls
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Stars, Stripes and County Fair Nights
All the right notes The PCM Marching Band show friends and family how to stay in step during its final day of camp
4-H and FFA kids, along with their variety of animals, take over the Jasper County Fairgrounds
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
A publication of est. 1851
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Friends, family and marching enthusiasts give marching band their best shot at “Join the Marching Mustangs for A Day” with the PCM band for its final day of camp July 19 at the PCM High School.
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