Metro Sports Report

IWSL features inside-the-park homers

WALKER - An inside-the-park home run is one of the most exciting plays  in college softball as the batter races around the bases and beats the  throw to the plate.

There were four of them Sunday in the Iowa Women's Softball League as  Lindsey Culver, Haley McFarlane, Ceara Larson and Payton Akers all  turned the trick at the spacious ballpark in Walker.

Emil's Hideaway and the Metro Sports Report split their doubleheader  in the first two games, then Ironside Apparel and Bosch Financial did  likewise in their twinbill.

Bosch Financial stayed in first place in the IWSL after three weeks of  the season with a 4-1-1 record.

Bosch sweeps MSR with superb pitching

WALKER - First came a one-hitter by Ellie Thurow, then came a  14-strikeout performance by the Timmons sisters.

It was a stellar day for Bosch Financial and their outstanding pitching staff.

Thurow, who pitches for Coe College, tossed her one-hitter with five  strikeouts as Bosch waltzed by the Metro Sports Report, 14-0, in the  first game of their doubleheader in the Iowa Women's Softball League  Sunday in Walker.

The Timmons sisters, Allie and Nicole, both hurled three innings in  Game 2 as Bosch Financial rolled again, 8-1. The Timmons sisters pitch  at Drake and both of them collected seven K's Sunday.

The twin-killing lifted Bosch into first place with a 3-0-1 record  after two weeks of the IWSL campaign.

Culver stars as IWSL moves to Walker

WALKER - Lindsey Culver blasted two inside-the-park home runs Sunday to help Metro Sports Report sweep a doubleheader from Ironside Apparel in the opening games of the 2020 Iowa Women's Softball League in Walker.

Culver ripped a grand slam over the right fielder's head as Metro Sports Report topped Ironside Apparel, 10-5, in the first game at the spacious field in Walker. She then lofted a two-run homer over the center fielder's head to help MSR trip Ironside, 6-4, in the second game of their twinbill.

The IWSL played all of its games on Busse Field at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids the last two years, but Busse Field is currently closed due to the pandemic and the league has moved 25 miles north to Walker for at least the first four weeks of the season.

The players and fans enjoyed the splendid hospitality by the good folks of Walker, and the local citizens enjoyed having college softball come to town.

College softball comes to Walker

The Iowa Women's Softball League is on the move!

The 2020 IWSL campaign begins this Sunday at a terrific field in Walker, a small town (pop. 789) that is located 20 miles north of Cedar Rapids in a lovely setting.

All of the IWSL games were played at Mount Mercy University the past two years, but the college softball fields at Mount Mercy, Kirkwood, Coe and Iowa are all closed due to the pandemic. League officials reached out to new friends in Walker and the community has welcomed us with open arms.

"We are delighted to be playing in Walker this summer," said Jim Ecker, the founder and director of the Iowa Women's Softball League. "The good people in Walker are excited about us coming to town and they have everything to make us feel welcome."

The IWSL will spend the first four weeks of the season in Walker with doubleheaders each Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The league might switch to a college field in July if one becomes available, but otherwise all the games in July will be played in Walker as well.