(Atlantic) Centerville edged out Atlantic in a tightly contested pitchers’ duel during the Class 3A Regional Final Saturday night in Atlantic.
Both starters were impressive in the circle. Kaylee Davis earned the win for the Redettes, giving up just one run on five hits, with one strikeout and one walk. Peyton McLaren was solid for Atlantic, allowing two runs—one earned—on four hits, while striking out six and walking one.
Payton Hoffman set the tone early for Centerville, launching a leadoff home run over the left field fence in the top of the first to give the Redettes a 1-0 lead. Peyton McLaren bounced back quickly, retiring the next three batters in order to end the inning.
In the bottom half, Kaylee Davis induced a fly out and a pop up before allowing a two-out double to Lila Wiederstein. Wiederstein stole third but was stranded there on another pop up to end the inning.
McLaren surrendered a leadoff double in the second but responded by striking out the next five batters. Her streak was snapped with a two-out walk in the third. The sophomore proceeded to mow down the next six hitters, before Kenly Shilling reached base on an error, and eventually scored on Hoffmans RBI single putting the visitors up 2-0.
Meanwhile, Davis wasn’t overpowering but kept the Trojans off balance all night, inducing nine infield pop-ups and eight fly balls—many handled by Matty Kovacevich in centerfield.
Atlantic made a push in the sixth, stranding two runners, and narrowed the gap to 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh with a one out solo home run from Payton McLaren. But Centerville’s Kaylee Davis remained steady, retiring the next two batters to close out the Redettes’ 2-1 victory.
Payton Hoffman powered Centerville’s offense, going 2-for-3 with a home run and a single while driving in both runs. Matty Kovacevich and Kaylee Davis added a single and a double, respectively.
McLaren led Atlantic with her seventh-inning home run. Lile Wiederstein added a double, while Zoey Kirchhoff, Claire Schroder, and Jillian Saathoff each contributed a single.
The Trojans close the season with a 27-14 record. Centerville improves to 18-10 and will face South Central Conference rival Albia (27-3) in the regional final Tuesday in Albia.
Atlantic Head Coach Terry Hinzmann met with the media after the game.
