Last night, 24 schools punched their ticket to the state softball tournament in Fort Dodge in Class 1A, 2A, and 3A.
On the Mahaska Zone Network, you heard Sigourney make an upset bid against the #2 team in the state in New London. The Savages grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI single by senior Jordan Carter. Carter was also in the circle for the Savages, and through six innings, allowed only one hit and no runs. Sigourney would have minor threats in a couple of different innings, but were unable to add any insurance, which would prove costly.
In the bottom of the 7th, with the state tournament berth on the line, Carter induced two quick groundouts, needing only one more out to clinch the upset win. Cleanup hitter Emily Parks from New London hit a little bloop single up the middle to keep the game alive, and then the only other senior in the order for the Tigers, Jorgi Kreiger, came to the plate looking to keep her career alive. Down to her last strike, Kreiger made contact and launched a walk-off two-run home run to give New London a shocking 2-1 win to send them to the state tournament in one of the more gut-wrenching games you’ll ever see at the high school level.
Despite the loss, it was a phenomenal game from Sigourney. Jordan Carter was masterful all game long in the circle, pitching 6 2/3 innings, striking out five and allowing only three hits the whole game. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be.
The Savages have a bright future moving forward under Head Coach Shelly Streigle. Although they lose the services of Carter and outfielder Courtney Herman, the rest of the starting lineup consisted of four freshmen and three sophomores. Sigourney’s breakout season ended with a record of 26-12. New London will go to state with a 30-2 record.
In other Class 1A action, Lynnville-Sully got the area off the hook in the smaller classes, as they battled through a surprising bracket to get a 9-1 win over Murray to make it back to Fort Dodge. The Hawks will face River Valley in the first round, who upset the top ranked team in the state last night in Akron-Westfield. That effectively makes New London the #1 seed, and Lynnville-Sully is #2 on the other half of the bracket, as the 3rd ranked team, Woodbury Central, also fell before state. Lynnville-Sully will be in action next Tuesday at 11:30 AM against River Valley looking to move into the state semifinals.
In Class 3A last night, Solon knocked off PCM to hold serve and make it to state, where they will serve as the top seed. Tonight, after a most unusual semifinal round, we will determine the Class 4A and 5A state tournament teams.
In Class 4A Region 5, #14 Fairfield is looking to complete their run to state after an upset of #4 Oskaloosa, as they’ll face #12 North Scott tonight. That game will be at 7 pm this evening. In Class 4A Region 6, Pella is the surprise team, as they beat #2 Indianola in a huge upset Saturday, 4-0. The Lady Dutch will face Marion, who pulled a road upset as well, defeating Cedar Rapids Xavier, 1-0. That game will be in Oskaloosa at 7 pm this evening, as one of those two unranked teams will be at state.
In another game of note, #3 Winterset hosts #7 Norwalk, as the draw will eliminate another of the top eight teams before state tonight. That game is also at 7 pm.
Last night was also postseason baseball makeup games in Class 1A and 2A. There were a few area teams in action in Class 2A. PCM dominated Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 13-3 in six innings. That game was in Albia, and followed Pella Christian’s win over Central Decatur, 9-4. PC will face Albia, while PCM will take on Davis County. Those games are tonight, with DC and PCM taking the field first in Albia at 5 PM. Also last night, Mid-Prairie fell in a thriller, 8-7, to Central Lee.
We’ll have plenty of baseball action for you tonight here on the Mahaska Zone Network. Starting around 4:45, John Martenson will be in Sully to call North Mahaska’s postseason opener against Iowa Valley. Iowa Valley is 16-6 on the year, and North Mahaska will have to play extremely well to move into the next round. That game will be on 99.5 FM and AM 740 KMZN and on kboeradio.com. First pitch slated for 5 PM. As soon as John finishes up, I will be in Bussey for Twin Cedars vs. Moulton-Udell. The Sabers’ trek back to state will be a little tougher this year, but they should be a favorite tonight.
They’re on the back end of a doubleheader, and will start right around 7 pm depending on the first game. Our broadcast will immediately follow the North Mahaska game on 99.5 FM and AM 740 KMZN and on kboeradio.com.
