Beau Livingston’s first season as Norwalk’s head softball coach is certainly one that he will not soon forget.

Livingston’s fourth-ranked (Class 4A) Warriors earned the program’s first trip to the State Softball Tournament since 2014 on Tuesday night, and they did so in thrilling fashion. Trailing 6-2 after six and a half innings, Norwalk scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh and defeated No. 14 Benton Community 7-6 on freshman Bailey Birmingham’s two-out, bases-loaded walk-off single.

The Warriors overcame four errors on the night – Benton played error-free defense – but Livingston credits his team for never giving up and plugging away in the final frame against Bobcat pitcher Jessa DeMoss.

“The toughness of our kids… I am so happy for them, their families, the commitment that they’ve made to this program,” he said.

Livingston tells KNIA Sports that his players have made huge strides in all facets of the game since spring ball.

“They’ve worked hard,” he said. “Our motto this year is ‘those who commit will be champions.’ We are the regional champions and it is because our kids have absolutely dedicated themselves to each other and to this program.” 

Birmingham says that Coach Livingston has been a great fit for Norwalk softball.

“I feel like he has really set the tone and said a lot of things that I agree with and that I’ve always grown up hearing,” Birmingham said. “It’s really made me feel very confident and I’ve always trusted the process with him. I really liked having him (as our coach) this year.”

Norwalk senior Mei Grant adds that Livingston creates a fun atmosphere for the players.

“He’s a lot of fun,” she said. “He likes to make practice fun. He’s always like, ‘Hey, turn up the music!’ I think he’s always like, ‘Play loose.’ He’s never worried about stats or anything like that. He’s like, ‘Play your game,’ and I think that makes us a really good team.”

The 29-7 Warriors will face fifth-ranked Carlisle (27-10) in a 4A state quarterfinal Monday at the Harlan Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge. Pregame coverage on 94.3 KNIA will begin at 3:15 p.m., followed by the first pitch at 3:30.