Dreams really do come true.
The Twin Cedars Softball Squad saved quite possibly the best for last as the Sabers claimed the class 1A State title on Friday night with a 6-3 win over Southeast Warren as heard on 92.1 KRLS. Unlike the first two games in Fort Dodge, the Sabers trailed early when the Warhawks scored in the 2nd inning on a double. However, Twin Cedars would respond with four runs in the 3rd inning, highlighted by a Jillian French bomb.
French would strike again in the 5th on a two RBI double to make it 6-1 Twin Cedars. Southeast Warren would inch closer in the 6th when Twin Cedars committed two errors, allowing Josie Hartman to double in Lexi Clendening and Kaylee Tignor brought home Hartman on a sacrifice fly, but the Warhawks could get no closer and Grace Bailey sat the Warhawks down in order in the 7th. Sabers player Ali Mockenhaupt told KNIA/KRLS everyone had confidence they could take home the title when they got there.
Mockenhaupt: “Just getting up here was crazy and we knew we had three games left and I’m going to give it my all and to win this is the best feeling in the world.”
Grace Bailey got the save in relief after leaving the game in the 3rd inning, going just 2 1/3 innings on one run on five hits. Mockenhaupt pitched 4 2/3 innings of relief to earn the win. Coach Zack Dunkin told KNIA/KRLS Sports he knew his team was not going to be intimidated after seeing some of the pitching in earlier games this week.
Dunkin: “They had been hitting well and they had not allowed any runs, and I knew after the pitching we had seen that they weren’t going to feel overmatched and took it too them.”
Southeast Warren Pitcher Alivia Ruble took the loss, going the distance allowing six runs on eight hits and one strikeout. Twin Cedars is the State Champions with a 29-3 record, while Southeast Warren finishes at 25-5.
All-Tournament Team:
Grace Bailey, Twin Cedars – Captain
Jillian French, Twin Cedars
Ali Mockenhaupt, Twin Cedars
Rylee Dunkin, Twin Cedars
Alivia Ruble, Southeast Warren
Kaylee Bauer, Southeast Warren
Emma King, Southeast Warren
Lexi Clendenen, Southeast Warren
Campbell German, Martensdale-St. Marys
Jackie Kleve, Martensdale-St. Marys
Ellie Flanagan, North Linn
Photos from of Ryan Nothcote
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