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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Williamsburg cruises to 6th straight state tournament berth
Two-time defending 3A champions top Eagle Grove 9-0
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WILLIAMSBURG — Plenty of experience and production returned from last year’s Williamsburg softball team, and they now find themselves in a similar spot come mid-July.
For the sixth-straight season, Williamsburg will be headed to the state softball tournament in Fort Dodge. The Raiders defeated Eagle Grove 9-0 in a Class 3A Region 2 final Tuesday.
“It really never gets old,” senior Carly Rich said following the win. “It’s truly amazing to be able to celebrate with your teammates and soak in the moment, especially as a senior.”
After a scoreless and hitless first inning from both teams, the Raiders’ bats broke the game open, bringing in seven runs in the second inning.
Kalon Spratt, who totaled three RBIs in the game, started the scoring with a two-RBI double. Designated hitter Kiley Allen followed, bringing Spratt in on a single.
Up 4-0 with two on, Rich delivered the hit of the game, blasting one over left field for a three-run home run.
‘It was a really good moment, especially with this being the last game for me on this field,“ Rich said.
The Raiders added two in the third and ended this one in five.
Jersey Metz on the mound gave up two hits, and the Eagles had just three base runners all game.
A double from Mya Morgan started the fifth for the Eagles, but three straight outs ended the game. Eagle Grove closed the season 17-11.
The celebration began quickly after the final out, as firetrucks paraded the Raiders to the town square and back and fans cheered them on.
“Having the community behind us is something that definitely fuels what we want to accomplish,” senior Taylor Pitlick said. “We want to bring one more state championship to the town of Williamsburg.”
The two-time defending champs in 3A now set their sights on accomplishing that goal.
“We have so much experience and so much confidence in everyone,” said Rich. “I think that’s one thing that makes us such a great team and hard to beat.”
Williamsburg (33-7) will face Washington (29-9) in a 3A state quarterfinal Tuesday, July 22 at 10 a.m.
