The state’s top-rated Class 2A softball team proved why on Thursday, as North Union defeated Okoboji 12-0 in four innings in a second round matchup in Swea City. Warriors starter Allie Ingalls dominated in the circle, no-hitting the Pioneers. Mikkinzie Peschong took the loss as Okoboji ends the year at 17-16 overall. North Union, the champions of the Cornbelt Conference, will take a 30-4 mark into Friday’s regional semifinal against Lake Mills, who got by Pocahontas Area/Pomeroy-Palmer, 8-0.
Emmetsburg’s Faith Schmidt was the star of Thursday’s Class 2A Regional contest between the E-Hawks and Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn. The senior allowed just one hit, struck out ten of the 19 batters faced, and smashed a second-inning home run as part of a 10-0 Emmetsburg win in five innings. The seventh-ranked E-Hawks took control early, scoring four runs in the first inning with ten batters coming to the plate. Kailey Enger registered the lone Hawks hit, while Krista Orthmann suffered the loss in just two innings of work. HMS’s year closes with an 11-21 record. Emmetsburg, at 30-9, will host West Lyon in Friday’s regional semifinal. The Wildcats snuck past Western Christian in Hull by a 5-4 margin. That game can be heard on Y100.
Click here for the postgame interview with Emmetsburg senior Faith Schmidt.
Click here for the postgame interview with HMS coach Dale Orthmann.
In the Class 4A Regional opener, Spencer handled Storm Lake for a third time this season, topping the Tornadoes 17-1 in four innings. The Tigers scored 14 runs in the top of the fourth inning to seize control. Alexa Allen registered three hits, five RBI, and three runs scored. Kari Kramer also finished with three hits and three runs scored, while driving in four runs. Spencer improves to 12-16 on the season, and will play again Saturday at Lakes Conference co-champion LeMars.
The Class 1A field also took to the diamonds on Thursday. Ninth-ranked Remsen St. Mary’s won 13-1 in six innings over Granville Spalding Catholic. LeMars Gehlen Catholic advanced with a 10-0 blanking of Kingsley-Pierson in six innings. Top-ranked and two-time defending state champion Akron-Westfield moved past Trinity Christian with an 8-0 decision, and will play eleventh-ranked Remsen-Union, who defeated River Valley, 4-2. Fourth-ranked Newell-Fonda doubled up West Bend-Mallard, 6-3, and will battle Southeast Webster-Grand in the semifinals. Also, Algona Bishop Garrigan’s 7-1 victory over North Iowa sets up a contest Friday against twelfth-ranked Marcus-Meridan-Cleghorn, who breezed by Laurens-Marathon, 11-1, in five innings.
