Panthers’ clutch hitting decides WIC title game

 TREYNOR -- The final score was a bit misleading, but there is no questioning the champion of the Western Iowa Conference Softball Tournament.
 Top-ranked (2-A) Logan-Magnolia was its typical sound and steady self during Thursday night’s WIC Tourney title game at Treynor, producing key two-out hits and playing error-free defense behind ace pitcher Abby Straight to blank 11th-ranked IKM-Manning 8-0 and defend its crown.
 The Panthers (27-2 overall) and Wolves (20-7) have now combined to win all three conference tournament championships since joining the league in 2014. Prior to the title game, Lo-Ma held off Missouri Valley 2-1 and IKM-M routed Treynor 12-2 in Thursday’s semifinals.
 Straight held the Wolves to five hits in the final, walked one and struck out eight, pitching out of several tough situations - especially early - to preserve her second seven-inning shutout of the year.