By Jim Misunas
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

NICKERSON — Larned High’s softball team maintained momentum with a dominating 15-0 and 18-3 sweep over Nickerson Friday.
Larned (3-9) continues to make steady progress after losing two close games to unbeaten Hillsboro. Mattie Glover threw a two-hit shutout and Shay Shepherd earned the second-game victory.
“Their pitchers struggled a little to find the zone, but it was a good day for us to get some confidence back at the plate,” said Larned coach Dustin Wilson. “We were able to build a little bit from our games with Hillsboro.”
In the first game, Annie Russum drove in four runs with two hits. Haley Skelton drove in three runs with two hits. Shepherd and Maci Perez each delivered two hits.
“Annie Russum and Haley Skelton hit the ball well in the first game, Shay Shepherd and Maci Perez as well,” Wilson said.
In the second game, Erin Smith drove in four runs. Russum drove in three runs in a seven-run first inning. Shepherd tripled twice and drove in a run. Alexis Langdon scored four runs and Maddy Wares scored three times.  
Also driving in runs were Perez, Kelsey Parr and Skelton.  

LARNED 15, NICKERSON 0
Larned 20(13) — 15 7 0
Nickerson 000 — 0 2 1
Glover and Langdon. Mader and Hirst. W—Glover. L—Mader.  

LARNED 18, NICKERSON 3
Larned 734 13 — 18 12 0
Nickerson 101 10 — 3 6
Shepherd and Langdon. Ortiz, Mader (4) and Tucker. W—Shepherd. L—Ortiz. 2B—L, Russum; N, Hirst. 3B—L, Shepherd 2; N, Bullock.

CKL SOFTBALL
Hillsboro    12-0
Haven    11-1
Lyons    8-2
Hoisington    7-5
Pratt    7-5
Kingman    7-7
Smoky Valley    5-5   
Halstead    5-7
Sterling    5-7
Larned    3-9
Nickerson    0-10
Hesston    0-12

Today’s games
Nickerson at Hillsboro
Pratt at Smoky Valley
Kingman at Halstead
Hesston at Larned
Hoisington at Sterling