(Atlantic) A six-run fourth inning powered the Trojans to a 10-2 victory over Harlan in five innings Thursday night, in a Class 3A Regional quarterfinal held in Atlantic.
The Trojans scored 10 runs on nine hits and committed just one error in Thursday’s win. Harlan managed two runs on four hits and was charged with four errors.
Peyton McLaren and Reese Ball led the way at the plate for Atlantic. McLaren went 3-for-3 with 2 RBI, while Ball finished 2-for-2 with a walk and 2 RBI. Harlan’s four hits were spread out, with Lauren Schmitz notching a bunt single, Aubrey Wegner hitting a double, and Suzy Kenkel and Carleigh Goshorn each adding base hits.
Atlantic jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in Thursday night’s regional quarterfinal. Makenna Schroeder reached on an error, stole second, advanced to third on McKenna Sonntag’s sacrifice bunt, and scored on a passed ball. Peyton McLaren led off the second inning with a single and later scored on Reese Ball’s RBI hit.
McLaren was sharp in the circle through the first three innings, allowing no runs on just one hit while striking out seven. But Harlan found some momentum in the top of the fourth, tying the game at 2-2 with two runs on three hits. Aubrey Wegner opened the frame with a double, scored on Suzy Kenkel’s RBI single, and Camryn Goshorn followed with a run-scoring hit.
Atlantic quickly answered with a dominant bottom of the fourth, erupting for six runs on four hits and capitalizing on three Harlan errors. Dylin Ball, McLaren, Reese Ball, and Lila Wiederstein all delivered base hits as ten Trojans came to the plate, pushing the lead to 8-2.
The Trojans sealed the win in the bottom of the fifth. Claire Schroder smacked a double, followed by singles from McLaren and Jillian Saathoff, driving in two more runs and securing the 10-2 mercy-rule victory.
The 27-13 Trojans host 17-10 Centerville on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. We will have the broadcast on 95.7 F.M. Centerville defeated Clarinda 13-9 in Regional quarterfinal on Thursday.
