The Dike-New Hartford softball team strung together scoring runs while holding Aplington-Parkersburg in check, winning 11-1 in six innings in a 2A regional quarterfinal that aired on 99 The Wave Wednesday. The game featured a nearly one-hour weather delay between the first and second innings.
The Falcons scored in the first inning when Avery Freund singled to drive in Ada Switzer. The Wolverines tied the game in the bottom of the first when Payton Nolan scored on a passed ball and took a 2-1 lead when Faith Gray hit a sacrifice fly in the second. The Wolverines added four in the third, which was followed by two scoreless innings. To begin the sixth, Faith Gray led off with a home run.
Karsyn Nolan walked, then Hanna Steffen went yard.
Natalie Folkerts hit a single with the bases loaded, and the game ended via the runs-ahead rule when Macy Mracek walked with the bases loaded. All five runs in the sixth happened with no outs. Steffen says it was a complete team win.
“We had a couple of slow innings, so we knew we needed to adjust and make something happen at the plate,” Steffen says. “Personally, I know with some pitchers, I really get under the ball and I pop it up. So I was trying to step off the plate and get my swing through. After I adjusted, I was able to find the ball and swing through. The team came alive too, it wasn’t just me or Faith’s home run that did that. Everyone made something happen.”
“I thought we had to play clean defense and make adjustments at the plate, and we did both those things,” Interim coach Rhandi Oelmann says. “Credit to AP, they came and were ready to fight for their season. I respect their coaches so much, and they’re doing great things for that program, so I hope that continues for them. But I thought our girls came and took care of business. Any given night, someone can step up on this team, and I think that showed again tonight.”
Steffen had three hits and two RBIs. Payton Nolan and Madde Buskohl each had two hits and Gray drove in two runs. Gray pitched the complete game with eight strikeouts, no walks and eight hits. DNH (20-9) has advanced to a 2A regional semifinal Friday at Hudson, which defeated Belmond-Klemme 6-2 Wednesday to advance.
Ada Switzer led the Falcons with two hits and Freund had one RBI. Aubrey Williamson pitched the complete game with no strikeouts, eight walks and nine hits. AP’s season ends at 10-14, its highest win total in 11 years.
Hanna Steffen interview:
Faith Gray interview:
Rhandi Oelmann interview:
Emily Williamson interview:
