(Fort Dodge, IA) — Riverside could not keep up with Wayne’s hot bats and the Falcons won 7-3 in the 1A State Softball Semifinals on Wednesday night.
The Falcons scored 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning as the first four batters reached base against Riverside starter Peyton Schafer. Ella Whitney walked, Ava Whitney doubled, Allie Jo Fortune followed with another double to score Ella, and Izzie Moore delivered a RBI single to score Ava. Fortune and Moore both scored on RBI grounders and Wayne led 4-0.
In the bottom of the third, the Falcons added to their lead. Ava Whitney doubled again, Fortune brought her home with a RBI single and then Moore hit a towering 2 run HR to left center that was announced as travelling 442 feet. Wayne now led 7-0.
Schafer actually settled down from there — after the homer, the freshman only allowed two more baserunners the rest of the game on an error and a walk. Schafer allowed 7 earned runs on 6 hits, walked three and struck out three.
Riverside only got single runs in the first, second, and third innings early in the game and could not group their hits together. In the top of the 6th, Sophia Fenner doubled and scored on a Sydney Somers RBI single. In the top of the 7th, Kayden Schnack was walked by Wayne starter Izzie Moore, Lilli Reed then laid down a bunt and the ball was thrown away. When Schnack tried to score, the ball was thrown away towards home and Schnack scored easily. Reed, meanwhile, scampered to third and the ball was thrown away again into left and Reed scored on the bizarre three error play.
Nevertheless, Moore settled down, allowed a one out single to Adaline Martens but got the final two outs to end the game.
Martens has made her case for the 1A All-Tournament team by going 2-4 with a double and has 5 hits in her two games.
Wayne (27-2) will play Clarksville (30-4) for the 1A Championship on Friday. Riverside (25-4) will face St. Edmond (25-11) for third place on Friday night at 6 pm, coverage on KSOM.
Line Score
Riverside (25-4) — 3 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 6 LOB
Wayne (27-2) — 7 runs, 6 hits, 3 errors, 2 LOB
W: Moore
L: Schafer
Post Game Interview with Riverside Head Coach Lacie Patterson
