Iowa City Regina, Assumption headed to Iowa high school state softball championship games
FORT DODGE — The end of the Iowa high school state softball tournament is near, with championship games scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
On Wednesday morning, defending state champions Fort Dodge and newcomer Waukee Northwest punched their tickets to the Class 5A title game with convincing wins over West Des Moines Valley and Muscatine, respectively.
Winterset and Dallas Center-Grimes beat their opponents in the afternoon for a spot in the 4A championship, with a combined three homeruns between the two games.
But later in the afternoon and evening, teams from Class 3A, 2A and 1A competed for their spots in the remaining three state championship games. Here is a breakdown of the rest of Wednesday’s action.
Iowa City Regina to compete for Class 2A state title
The Regals picked up the final spot in the 2A championship game with a 7-4 win over Central Springs on Wednesday night.
It was the Panthers who held an early lead after going up 2-0 in the opening frame, and the score remained in Central Springs’ favor through the first three innings. Then Regina Catholic scored three in the fourth inning and four in the fifth to pull out a late win.
Central Springs’ Cooper Klaahsen seemed to be the better pitcher on paper, allowing seven hits and recording three strikeouts, while Regina Catholic’s Emma Nibaur allowed 11 hits, two homeruns and struck out three batters.
But the Regals’ offense stepped up, recording seven runs on seven hits. Jillian Panther led the way, with three RBI off two hits. At bat, Nibaur picked up two RBI on one hit, and Kennedy Connor batted one runner for Regina Catholic.
The Regals will play Wilton – which beat North Union, 14-1, in its semifinal matchup – at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 22.
Assumption to defend Class 3A title
No surprise here: Davenport Assumption is back in the state championship game. The 3A state champions from 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 will have a chance to win a fifth title when the Knights play Mount Vernon on Friday.
And it could be a close game.
Mount Vernon defeated Saydel, 2-0, in the first 3A semifinal on Wednesday. Jenna Sprague pitched for the Mustangs. She held Saydel to just one hit while striking out six batters. Maia Bentley and Addison Gookin scored Mount Vernon’s two runs, and Kenna Rollinger recorded a RBI.
Assumption’s game against Williamsburg was even closer, with the Knights pulling off a 1-0 victory in the fourth inning. Bella Nigey pitched all seven innings for Assumption and allowed two hits. She recorded seven strikeouts.
Williamsburg’s Peyton Driscoll allowed only one hit, but that was all Assumption needed to win the game. Maddie Loken hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth frame to send Kelsie Hearne home for the only score of the game.
Mount Vernon and Davenport Assumption will face off at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, July 22 for the Class 3A state title.
Two fresh faces in the Class 1A championship
Last season, Southeast Warren won the third-place game, 4-0, over Wayne. This year, the Warhawks will have a chance to compete for a state title after making it to the championship game against Twin Cedars.
Southeast Warren defeated North Linn – last year’s Class 2A champions – 6-2 in Wednesday’s semifinal. Alivia Ruble allowed just two hits and recorded seven shutouts pitching for the Warhawks.
In the second semifinal game, Twin Cedars beat Martensdale-St. Mary’s, 7-2, to advance to Friday’s championship. Grace Bailey pitched all seven innings for Twin Cedars, allowing six hits and striking out four. Ali Mockenhaupt and Jillian French each batted in three.
Southeast Warren and Twin Cedars will compete in the final championship game of the state tournament at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 22.
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa City Regina, Assumption reach state softball championships
