(Avoca) AHSTW meets Treynor for a third time this season. The Lady Vikes have beat the Cardinals by scores of 13-5 and 10-9.
This matchup is for a spot in the regional semifinals on Friday. Coach Trevor Gipple lays out some of the keys. “We definitely have to be able to hit the ball and execute defensively. Their coach and their team is great about applying pressure on you.” Gipple says, “The last couple of meetings we’ve limited our mistakes and tried to control that dangerous offense that they have.”
AHSTW is 18-8 on the year. Coach Gipple says team chemistry has been a big positive. “I really just think their chemistry together. You look at the lineup and we have a new hero every night. There are 8-9 kids hitting over .300. The gloves have been good. I think we are at our best when Ally Meyers in on the mound.”
Senior Ally Meyers has emerged as the go to pitcher in a potentially deep rotation. Meyers has a 13-1 record with a 2.05 ERA. Coach Gipple comments on the strengths Meyers bring to the circle. “Tenacity. The kid is a go-getter. We didn’t really plan on her throwing this much this season, but as a senior she’s spotted the ball really well and she’s a competitor. When she’s on the bump everybody knows the ball is going to be put in play and we are going to make plays.” Meyers has 78 strikeouts and 22 walks in 109 1/3 innings pitched.
AHSTW is eager to erase the taste of last year’s 3-1 loss to Tri-Center in the regional quarterfinals. “Our motto this year has been one game at a time. We had a really good team talk last Friday and that’s our mindset. Get the job done today, don’t worry about tomorrow. The nervousness is always going to be there. It’s the postseason and anything can happen. Hungry for sure. We don’t want to be done. We want to send these three seniors out on the best note they’ve ever had.”
Sophomore Rylie Knop and Senior Natalie Hagadon are each hitting over .400 for AHSTW. Hagadon has two home runs and is tied with Graycen Partlow for the team lead in RBI with 20.
Wednesday’s winner advances to play either #3 Logan-Magnolia or Lawton-Bronson.
AHSTW coach Trevor Gipple:
