The Velva-Drake/Anamoose Aggies continued their on-field domination with their seventh win and fifth shut out in a row this season with their Monday evening victory over the Bottineau Stars, Apr. 20.

The Aggies’ were able to keep the Stars largely off the bases thanks in no small part to their sophomore pitcher, Emma Balas.

Balas had an electric night in the pitchers’ circle, walking only two of the Stars’ batters, allowing only two hits and securing 13 strike outs for the Aggies during her seven innings pitching.

She faced a total of 27 batters through out the night, throwing 101 pitches total of which 66 were strikes.

The Aggies defense kept the Stars on their toes in and out of the circle, securing six ground outs and one fly out to keep Bottineau off the score board.

The Aggies’ offense kept equal pace with their defense through out Monday night’s games, beginning with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Eighth grader Quincy Bruner got the ball rolling for the Aggies with an RBI single into center field that let Balas run home after stealing third.

Junior Fallon Hudkins brought Bruner home with a pop fly to center field and freshman Marlee Kittleson rounded out the inning with a ground ball into left field that landed Hudkins at home plate.

Emma Balas kept up the pace with a two run RBI single into left field to bring the Aggies to a 5-0 lead over the Stars in the bottom of the second.

The Aggies went scoreless in the bottom of the third inning, but Emma Balas secured another RBI with her ground ball to third base, allowing senior Leah Volochenko to make the run home.

Junior Grace Balas rounded out the bottom of the fourth with a steal home and Fallon Hudkins closed out Aggies’ offense for the night by stealing home herself in the bottom of the fifth.

The Aggies ended the night with 13 hits and 14 stolen bases while only giving up five strike outs.

The Aggies improved to a 7-0 record on the season, still undefeated as they prepare to take on the South Prairie-Max Royals on Tuesday, Apr. 21.