- (Fort Dodge) #4 Atlantic squares off against #1 Assumption in a Class 3A semifinal softball game at Fort Dodge on Wednesday afternoon.
The Trojans advanced to the next round following a 10-9 victory over Anamosa in a game that wasn’t decided until the bottom of the eleventh. Assumption downed Clarke, 11-1.
Atlantic Head Coach Terry Hinzmann says the Knights have two solid pitchers with Bella Nigey and Leah Maro. “They both have ERA’s less than one; opposing batters are hitting around .160 against them,” said Hinzmann. “So they have two options in the circle, and both pitchers are very good.”
Offensively the Knights are hitting around .400 as a team. “Their hitters at the top of the order are batting .500, and they don’t tail off too far from that,” said Hinzmann. “The hitters at the bottom of the order are hitting around .380 which makes for a formidable task for us.”
The Trojans will be up to the task following a come from behind victory over Anamosa overcoming a three-run deficit in the bottom of the 11th inning to advance to the semi-finals. Atlantic is batting .357 as a team, with capable hitters from top to bottom. “The girls gained some confidence on Monday night and hit a good pitcher. And we’ve seen some good pitching throughout the course of the year,” said Hinzmann. “We’ll have to be patient at the plate and not allow ourselves to get behind in the count, swinging at poor pitches, and making poor decisions. Wejust have to remain disciplined.”
The game is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. We will have the broadcast on 95.7 FM. The pre-game starts around 2:45 p.m.
