Payton Bradley stepped into the box and delivered the game-winning hit for the sixth-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond softball team here Wednesday night at Rogers Park.

That was after the sophomore delivered a strong outing inside the circle vs. Iowa Falls-Alden.

Bradley plated Michaela Leiting with two outs to answer a two-run seventh by the Cadets that tied it. Bradley went six-plus, striking out five with nine hits allowed before Kaili Henning came on to record the final out with a runner on second.

Henning and Faith Shirbroun both delivered solo home runs, as the Gaels (17-10 overall, 8-2 in North Central Conference) built an early 3-0 lead. Shirbroun’s fourth homer of the season came on the first-pitch in the opening inning, while Henning’s first was on a 3-2 count with two outs in the third.

“It was great to see Payton come on and have a performance like that inside the circle,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “She was really in control out there and our defense backed her up great. We had a couple tough plays in the seventh and it was nice to have Kaili come on and close the door.

“We didn’t hit the ball as well as I would have liked, but give credit to Iowa Falls-Alden because they kept us off balance and bit and did a nice job.”

Henning and Hadley Oswald each had two hits, with Ava Andrew adding an RBI on a sacrifice in the third. Leiting scored twice and stole two bases.

“That was a great bunt by Ava, who really did a nice job at first,” Shirbroun said. “She also had a hit and drew a walk. We got some good production out of the bottom part of our lineup (No. 9 hitter Sophia Schlienz also had a hit). We’ve just got to be able to string more things together.

“After the win Tuesday night, it feels good to get back-to-back victories and get some momentum back on our side.”

Up next for the Gaels will be another big challenge as they head to No. 7 (3A) Saydel Thursday night before returning to NCC action Friday at Algona. On Saturday, St. Edmond hosts its own invitational.

ST. EDMOND 4, IOWA FALLS-ALDEN 3

IF-A 000 010 2 — 3 9 0

St. Edmond 101 100 1 — 4 8 1

WP–Kaili Henning (9-4, •IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K, 0 BB). LP–Cidni Phipps (6ª IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 3 K, 1 BB).

HR–SE: Faith Shirbroun, Kaili Henning. 2B–IF-A: Vada Campbell (2); SE: Hadley Oswald. RBI–IF-A: Vada Campbell (2), Isabelle Janssen, Joslin Johnson; SE: Faith Shirbroun, Payton Bradley, Kaili Henning, Ava Andrew. SB–IF-A: Isabelle Janssen, Hailey Bridgewater; SE: Faith Shirbroun, Michaela Leiting (2).