(Atlantic) (17-14), MOC-Floyd Valley travels (31-5), Atlantic tonight for a Class 3A Regional Final. The winner earns a spot in next week’s Class 3A State Softball Tournament.
The Trojans defeated Red Oak 10-2, in the regional quarterfinals and Cherokee, Washington 10-0, in the regional semi’s. MOC-Floyd Valley defeated Unity Christian 13-3 and edged Okoboji, 2-1 to advance to the Regional 2 Final game.
Atlantic carries a 14-game winning streak into the Regional final and is only the third team two reach 32 wins since the program began in 1972. The Dutchmen have won five out of their last seven games.
“MOC-Floyd Valley is a team located in the northern part of the state, so we don’t know a lot about them,” said Atlantic Head Coach Terry Hinzmann. “Their pitchers don’t have the numbers in comparison to Olivia Engler, but it’s that time of year, and an example of this is Okoboji upsetting Bishop-Heelan.”
Coach Hinzmann says the most important thing is to come out and be ready to play. “I think it’s more important to worry about our team rather than the people we’re playing,” said Hinzmann. “If we come out and play as we did against Cherokee, I think we’ll be fine.”
Atlantic pitcher Olivia Engler is 21-5, on the season, with an ERA of 1.27, 247 strikeouts, 34 walks, and five hit batters. Dutchmen pitcher Carlin Smith is 14-14 with an earned run average of 3.30, 154 strikeouts, 26 walks, and 11 hit batters.
The Trojans team batting average is .367, scoring an average nine runs per game while allowing 1.8 runs on average in 36 games. Alyssa Derby leads the team with a batting average of .477, with five home runs and 47 RBI. Olivia Engler is hitting .413, 12 home runs, and 52 RBI, and Madison Botos is batting .435 and 26 RBI.
MOC-Floyd Valley’s team batting average is .286. Carolynn Meines leads the team at the plate with a .469 batting average. Claire Yaw hits .357, and Carlin Smith is batting .350. Alyssa Vortherms is hitting .321.
The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.. We will have the game on 95.7 F.M. The pre-game starts at 6:40 p.m.
