JEWELL — A second straight strong performance at the plate offset a struggle in the field for the South Hamilton softball team Wednesday night, as the Hawks claimed their first victory of the season at the Mike Penning Athletic Complex.

Alissa Moss went 2 for 3 with a triple, two runs scored, three RBI and three stolen bases at the top of the order to lead South Hamilton to an 11-4 win over Heart of Iowa Conference rival Gilbert.

Marla Grubb went 3 for 4 and scored twice in the win. Taylor Ratzke and Lily Skartvedt both spanked doubles, while Breanne Diersen and Chloe Barkema added singles.

The run support aided Katie Johnson’s win in the pitcher’s circle. The right-hander surrendered just four hits and only one of the Gilbert runs was earned. South Hamilton (1-1, 1-1 HOIC) committed five errors behind Johnson.

Johnson was efficient throughout the contest. She threw first-pitch strikes to 26 of the 31 batters she faced and induced 15 ground ball outs. She finished with one walk and one strikeout.

Gilbert (0-2, 0-2 HOIC) plated one run in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth to cut South Hamilton’s lead to 6-4. The Hawks responded with a five-run flurry in the bottom of the sixth. Ratzke delivered a two-RBI double, Skartvedt found the gap to bring another run around and Moss delivered her triple to increase the lead.

South Hamilton will resume its league schedule on Tuesday when it heads to the north side of Des Moines to face Saydel.

South Hamilton 11, Gilbert 4

Wednesday at Jewell

Gilbert 000 013 0 — 4 4 2

So Hamilton 100 325 x — 11 9 5

Riley Nelson and Emma Mostek. Katie Johnson and Breanne Diersen. W — Johnson. L — Nelson. 2B — SH: Taylor Ratzke, Lily Skartvedt. 3B — SH: Alissa Moss. RBI — SH: Moss (3), Ratzke (2), Diersen, Skartvedt, Chloe Barkema, Taylor Volkmann.