(Van Meter) Van Meter used a balanced offensive attack and a strong relief outing to defeat Atlantic 9-1 in a Class 3A Regional Final at Van Meter on Tuesday night.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the second inning on Ashlan Small’s RBI single.
Atlantic answered in the top of the third, as Jillian Saathoff drove in the Trojans’ lone run with a fielder’s choice, tying the game at 1-1.
Van Meter responded immediately in the bottom of the inning, reclaiming the lead with a three-run outburst. Marah Karaidos started the rally with an RBI double to center field, Jillian Wosmansky added a run with a groundout, and Delanie Lyftogt followed with an RBI double to left field, making it 4-1.
The Bulldogs plated two more runs in the fourth inning. Maddy Schnell belted an RBI single and scored on Ella Fennessy’s sac fly, extending the lead to 6-1.
The Bulldogs put the game away in the sixth inning, scoring three more runs. Ella Fennessey delivered an RBI double before Karaidos blasted a two-run home run to center field.
Karaidos led Van Meter offensively, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, and three RBIs. Mady Schnell also collected three hits for the Bulldogs, who finished the game without committing an error. Fennessey recorded seven defensive chances.
Aniston Netten earned the victory, allowing one run on two hits over 2 1/3 innings while striking out three and walking three. Wosmansky pitched the final 3 2/3 innings in relief, allowing just one hit while striking out two and walking none.
Saathoff finished 1-for-3 with the Trojans’ lone RBI, while Zoey Kirchhoff, Lila Wiederstein, and Saathoff accounted for Atlantic’s three hits.
The Trojans’ outstanding season comes to an end after a dominating 20-0 Hawkeye Ten Conference title and a 33-7 overall record.
Van Meter, now 32-6, squares off against 32-1 Albia in the first round of the State Tournament at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20.
