Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Taylor Sanchez 2-run home run in the 5th propels Raiders to 8-3 victory over PCM in Class 3A Quarterfinals
Sanchez has been a consistent hitter for the Raiders in first season as a full-time starter
FORT DODGE — Freshman Taylor Sanchez mostly had a pinch-running role in Williamsburg’s postseason run to a state championship last season.
This season has been much different.
Sanchez has stepped into a starting role all season and been a staple at second base and a consistent hitter in the middle of the Raider’s lineup.
“We prepare ourselves really well, and I was ready for the moment,” Sanchez said on starting in her first state tournament game.
In a Class 3A Quarterfinal against PCM Monday night, Sanchez delivered for the Raiders.
The pivotal moment in the game came in the bottom of the fifth when Sanchez hit a two-run home run in right field to give the Raiders a comfortable three-run lead.
It was Sanchez’s third of the season.
This home run was different from most; it bounced off the glove of the Mustang right fielder and proceeded to go over the fence.
“I wanted to pick the team up in that moment after making a few mistakes,” Sanchez said.
The Raiders seemed rattled early and got down 3-1 after a few errors, but as they say, “it is not about how you start but about how you finish.”
“Shannon (Finn) is a great leader for us and picks us up when we’re down,” Sanchez said.
After Sanchez’s home run, the score was 6-3.
The Raiders added two more in the sixth after getting the bases loaded and finished the game scoring seven unanswered in an 8-3 victory.
“The third inning on was good for us, and we responded well,” Williamsburg head coach Adam Berte said.
“We needed some big hits and they stepped up.”
Dubuque Wahlert won the other quarterfinal game in the top of the 3A bracket off a walk-off home run from Julia Roth in extra innings and will face the Raiders in the semifinals Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
Williamsburg 8, Prairie City-Monroe 3
Class 3A State Quarterfinal, at Fort Dodge
PCM 030 000 0 — 3 6 2
Williamsburg 102 032 x — 8 9 3
Rylee Parsons, Camden Webb (4) and Addison Steenhoek. Jersey Metz and Ashlynn Fuhrman. W — Metz (21-6). L — Webb (7-2). HR — Wmsbg: Taylor Sanchez (3).
