WEBSTER CITY – Another efficient performance at the plate Monday night at Lynx Field kept the Webster City softball team just one game out of the lead in the race for the North Central Conference crown.

WCHS (6-5, 4-1 NCC) blasted 15 hits and jumped ahead early en route to a decisive 11-5 victory over Algona. The Lynx got on the board right away with three runs in the first and led 9-3 after putting up a six-spot in the third.

“We definitely were able to out-power them offensively,” WCHS head coach Jess Howard said. “The girls came out very aggressive, went after it and took advantage of the strikes that were given to them. When you put the ball in play things will happen for you.”

Hannah Myers and Kenady Highland both went 3-for-4 at the dish – four of their six hits went for extra bases – and they combined to drive in seven runs for the Lynx.

“Hannah is one player I’m glad I don’t have to try to defend because she can lay down a bunt and hit for power. She’s doing a good job of seeing the ball,” Howard said.

Down 1-0 entering the bottom of the first, WCHS received consecutive hits from Allie Flaws, Myers and Maddie Anderson. Flaws and Myers both crossed the plate on Anderson’s base knock, and Anderson eventually scored on a RBI base hit by Highland.

Myers highlighted the third with her first home run of the season – a two-run blast that exited the field over the fence in left-center. Highland also smacked a RBI double and Taylor Schnathorst drove in another on a single.

Highland added a RBI double off Algona (3-3, 1-3 NCC) hurler Brooke Fonley, and she eventually scored on a base hit by Catie Boyd, in the fourth.

Schnathorst and Cassidy Nerland both collected two hits. Chesley Wagoner and Haley Flaws both added a hit at the bottom of the Lynx lineup.

Gabbi Hoversten earned the win in the pitcher’s circle. She scattered eight hits and only one of the Bulldogs’ runs was earned. The junior right-hander walked one and struck out seven.

WCHS will head to Humboldt this evening for a league tussle against the Wildcats at 7:15 p.m.