>>> They have had some nail biters.

Not only in the tournament through the season so the coach says you have to keep them where their feet are.

Keep them in the moment.

For Van Meter this is their fourth trip to state.

Matty Waldorf, we will talk about her and the story of Macy Blomgren.

It is just amazing that she is here .

For Regina, this is there 11th time at state.

Courtney Klatt Kessler is great behind and in front of the >> She commands the field and she is there later.

We saw her hit a big home run in the semi final game.

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[ MUSIC ] >> Paul: game two of our state wide coverage of softball comes your ways from 2023 IGHSAU Girls State Softball Championships.

It is the 2023 state softball championships here in Fort Dodge.

Number one Iowa City Regina and the Van Meter Bulldogs.

Hello everybody.

Along with Laura Leonard I am Paul Yeager .

We are glad to have you here.

We have seen chalk in this tournament but there is something about the old sports adage about getting hot at the right time.

Right now the hot team is Van Meter .

>> Laura: they are scoring a lot of runs.

9 1/2 runs over that 14 game winning streak.

They are tough to slow down but Regina, defending state champion, they had some nail biters not only in the tournament but through the season.

Coach Kessler says you have to keep them where their feet are so keep them in the moment.

>> For Van Meter , this is their fourth trip to state.

Maddie Waldorf , we will talk about her and also the story of Laci Blomgren.

For Regina, this is there 11th time at state.

We talked about Dani Laughlin and Courtney Kessler is great behind the plate and in front of it.

Paul Yeager she is there later and she is the one they look too.

She had a big home run in that semi final game.

>> Paul: let's go to the field for a presentation.

>> In his career he has coached 30 Allstate players including Hall of Fame pitcher page stamp.

He has been active in the girls coaches Association and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

In 2018 he was named the national high school coach of the year.

Ladies and gentlemen, the 2020 recipient of the IGHSAU plaque of distinction in softball .

>> Paul: how many times has Liz been been here?

50 years of coaching is just remarkable.

His players young and old always speak so fondly of him.

I cannot tell you how many times I have been stopped by someone that is coached by him.

>> Laura: the players just love playing for him and they have a tremendous tradition at Lisbon.

They make it to the state tournament a lot through all of the seasons.

What a great honor for him.

>> Some of his current players are here for the moment so now, we will go back upstairs to Tim Fitzpatrick and he will introduce us to both of these It might not be basketball but softball does a pretty good job that is coming up now before the first pitch as well as our umpires.

>> Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and softball fans.

Welcome to 2023 IGHSAU Girls State Softball Championships for the 2A championship game between the Van Meter Bulldogs and the home team from Iowa City, the Regina wriggles.

Now let's meet our teams.

First of all, the coaches.

Number one, Ashlan small .

Number five Jilly Wosmanksy.

Number nine , Kennedy Wiedman .

Number 18, Alice Ruggles.

Number 22, Katherine Shepard .

Your assistant coaches are Josh flaws, Emily block, and Hillary Uhlman.

Now, here are your Regina wriggles.

Third at second base, number eight, --.

Doing cleanup batting fifth, number six, Ella Reimers.

Batting six, number 17, Cali Richards.

Batting some of that first base, number 32, Beth Button.

Batting eighth, Halle Karaidos.

And number 11, Destiny Sparks.

Your flex player, Katie Vaught.

Head coach, James flaws.

Now, here are the nonstarters and assistant coaches for Regina.

Number one , Natalie.

Number 20.

Melia Pursley.

Number 21, Kiley Devery.

Number 27, Maria Monestina.

And number 31, Rachel Nugent.

Your assistant coaches are Craig Stratton and Tristan Doster.

Leading off, number seven, Avery Kies.

Number 11, Dani Laughlin.

Batting third in catching, number eight, Courtney Kessler.

Cleanup hitter for the wriggles, Ashley Webb.

Number nine, Gabby Sueppel .

The designated hitter, Kennedy Conner.

Batting seventh, number 12, Morgan Gahan.

Jillian Panther.

Number 26, Alli Clark.

Your flex player is number 42, Laci Chambliss.

Head coach for the wriggles, Angela Kessler.

Ladies and gentlemen, please turn your attention to the home plate area.

Our umpires , at first base, Shannon McWhorter.

At third base and all of her.

Calling the balls and strikes, Deidre Moore.

Who is ready to win a state championship?

>> Paul: the sun is back out so the glitter girls of Regina really pop.

Chambliss at third.

Sueppel at short and perk at second and Panther at first.

That is a look at the Regina defense.

Now we get a chance to see the Van Meter offense.

They are going to have to do that will against Ashley Webb who is a move in from the Clear Creek Amana team.

She has had a really good year.

>> She really has.

She has a lot of different pitches.

A screwball and I asked her about that and which way does it break.

She says it breaks opposite of a right-handed pitcher.

She says her pitch breaks away from a right-handed hitter.

>> Will we will see what Van Meter can do.

Reimers, Richards, Button , Halle Karaidos and Destiny Sparks in right.

For Van Meter, what are their Kies?

>> They want a variety of looks up and down the zone and take advantage of baserunners.

When they get the money they have to move them around.

We saw that in the last game where Williamsburg was able to baserunners and then for the wriggles, they want to focus on the moment.

Stay in the moment and don't get ahead of yourself.

Have quality at-bats and don't be too aggressive.

>> Paul: Van Meter knocked out Missouri Valley and survived Central Springs, 10-9.

Central Springs is the third-place team in 2A.

Our first pitches coming your way at 5:10 PM on Friday, June 21 , 2023 and that is a strike.

>> Laura: we talked about Ashley Webb transferring in from Clear Creek Amana.

She has been a nice addition to this team.

>> Paul: her team last year was close but this year the welcoming that, especially her catcher, has had to bring her in.

It is not easy to move in your senior year or transfer in and gel but it has worked for Webb so far.

That one just misses .

>> Laura: that is an adjustment for Kessler as well having to learn a new pitcher.

And then learning a left-hander and then learning personality, temperament , velocity.

Those things happen throughout the off-season to be able to get with one another and on the same wavelength.

>> Courtney Kessler is the one that calls the pitches and has over the last three years.

Ground ball hit and that is the first hit of the game.

leadoff hitter on base for the Bulldogs.

>> Laura: perfectly played for the first run.

As we saw in the last game, get that leadoff hitter on and see if you can do something with it to score 1st.

>> Paul: Finley Netten has stolen bases multiple times.

First pitch.

Bunt flashed and pulled back.

We will see.

The head coach is flashing a couple of signs.

And the pitch.

Bunt pulled back again.

>> Laura: coming into the tournament she had 44 stolen bases.

She can move and she knows how to get a good lead and a good And you have a really talented catcher behind the plate.

>> Low and misses.

>> Paul: Webb is not letting her put the ball down but she is in danger.

>> Paul: I know you want to try to make that bunt pop up but, sometimes you have to let the defense do their job as well.

Now, a bit of a jam to start the ball game.

>> Paul: Waldorf.

And the leading hitter .

Webb is has thrown five straight balls.

>> Paul: she is the player you want to their right now.

>> Paul: 3-3 for centrals Springs.

>> Paul: Netten was able to get a huge jump out there and the way the defenses rotating, no one is covering second and Laughlin is having to sprint in a to cover second base.

Down at second, Netten can get a huge jump when they show bunt.

>> Paul: on deck is Lundgren -- Blomgren .

>> Laura: that is why Kessler is so important .

She knows the game and understands it very well.

>> Paul: it is fielded but is in the batter box.

Deidre Moore says it is foul.

Game one was Williamsburg.

This is class 2A.

It is a smaller class.

Van Meter is just west of walkie near Des Moines.

2-2.

Head towards second.

The Bulldogs strike first.

>> Laura: I think she was thinking turn two.

>> Paul: Netten is in and so is coach Kessler.

>> Laura: she covered up the microphone because she had a message for her team.

Wanted to get her message across.

Something between them and the players.

It is something that maybe is just between them.

out there right away.

Just relax.

We have been her before and that is what you need to do.

>> Paul: Blomgren shows bunt and pulls it back.

On the season, she is .455.

And that one misses.

>> Laura: she just takes a deep breath and just let the defense do their work.

>> Paul: that pitch catches the zone.

Strike one.

Two balls and one strike.

The runner on second is Wallace.

Waldorf at second.

Or rather, at first.

The runners go back to tag.

Laughlin makes the grab.

And Blomgren is the first out in the first.

>> Laura: underneath that one and that was an easy flyball and she just could not advance.

That is one that you don't want to take a chance on.

You have a big inning brewing so you don't want to burn yourself out.

>> Paul: Kessler almost dared to throw.

>> Laura: if they get just a bit too far and she can catch them leaning she is going to pick one of those runners off.

>> Paul: 1-0 , Chambliss throws it across to Panther .

Waldorf moves to third and Wallace is out on the fielder's choice.

>> Laura: good smart play .

Chambliss found the bag right away.

Good job being aggressive on the base paths and they advance the runners.

>> Paul: Waldorf goes to third and Reimers goes on to second.

Bailey, the older sister of Cali was with the Bulldogs last time they were in the title game.

Bailey is now coaching at Ballard and adds DMA cc.

Let's see what the younger sister remembers from the championship game that she could replicate.

Halle is just a sophomore.

Reimers on second.

Waldorf on third.

Swing and a miss.

Good pitch.

>> Laura: got her up in the high heat and made her chase.

>> Paul: 2-2.

Kessler shifted out at the last minute to the right-handed batters box.

Three balls and two strikes.

And Clark makes the catch.

Van Meter able to get a run but they leave a couple of runners behind.

So what could be big, Regina was able to dodge.

>> Laura: it was a promising start but Regina was able to get out of it .

>> Paul: the Van Meter defense goes out with Button first.

On second is Halle Karaidos, Netten at shortstop, Blomgren pitching Wallace on third and Cali Richards catching .

>> Laura: she has a good curveball but she will spin it a lot.

We might see a lot of ground balls out of her.

She likes to keep it down into the zone.

>> Paul: she is going to have a tall task against this offensive line up .

Ashley Webb, Sueppel , Chilean Panther followed by Clark.

In the first inning, that is the re-goals who are 29-8 on the season but a lot of games have been close for them.

They were 2-0 and then came They had a close game against Northeast and had to go eight innings to win their quarterfinal but it was very dramatic there.

>> Laura: last year it was kind of the same thing.

They were the come from behind team.

The cardiac kids that won a lot of games.

>> Paul: a lot of this lineup is back for Regina.

One of those players is Avery Kies .

Pulled in a on the left side and Wallace is on third.

Netten is in close at second.

Swing and a miss by >> Laura: Kies has the speed and the ability to handle the bat.

She can slap it and she can hit away.

>> Paul: it looks like Reimers is going to call off Vaught .

That is tough to get because it is outfield.

>> Laura: it was high enough that that allowed Reimers to be able to come in and camp under that.

There is a bit more distance in ground to cover as an outfielder.

>> Paul: there is a look at the camera.

A little higher than before.

She is a 6-12 hitter .

That is crazy.

>> Laura: that tells you that --.

>> Paul: camping underneath of that was Karaidos .

Kessler will bat .

She is another great batter .

She has a .537 average.

>> Laura: you think about that 1-2-3 start and the hitters that they have, that is a pretty daunting task for anyone to have to face with those kinds of hitters.

>> Paul: Kessler is the team leader in hits, RBIs, and doubles.

>> Laura: they have a good level swing and they can find the gap.

They know how to attack the zone and they don't ever go after bad pitches.

They know how to put it into play.

They have the pop and the power but they can also drop it in.

>> Paul: popped up out of play.

This is one of our new camera angle from the front of the box.

When the action happens we can zoom in.

If you were trying to get that seat in front of the press box, the camera is not in the way.

Van Meter takes a 1-0 lead as The girls in a blue Tash.

--.

>> Paul: that is James flaws from Carlisle.

The Bulldogs went into the district and he has seen a lot of softball over the years.

His dad Jim was a head coach at Carlisle.

The Flaws saw a lot of action.

Regina beats Northeast.

Then they beat Lisbon.

Van Meter over Missouri Valley .

Then Van Meter had a great game Van Meter was up 10-3 and they scored six in the six.

The winning run the go-ahead run was at third.

Is that right?

>> Yes.

>> So they have their chances but coach Flaws went into the circle and had some words.

>> Laura: when they were within one run he said we are not going to lose it here and may see Blomgren said we are going to win this right now .

Everyone perked up and they did that .

They were able to get out of it and when the ball game.

>> Paul: it gets your attention when a senior speaks.

>> Laura: they respect her and they know what she has been through in her career and has come back to perform at this level.

When she steps up and speaks, everybody listens.

>> Paul: first pitch strike from Webb .

We watched the Centennial and Pleasantville game.

There was only one swing and miss in that game .

It was either a called strike or a hit that was fair or foul.

I don't think I have ever heard of that in a game.

The abilities of these players and all of the extra practice they do is paying off to make them such good hitters.

>> Laura: in the pitchers as well .

They are around the zone.

They are putting it in play so, the best of both sides of it.

>> Paul: 2-2 to best Button.

The count is full.

Offspeed right up the middle .

Back to Webb.

That goes to Panther.

One away.

>> Paul: good reaction in the circle by Webb .

That was a good at bat by Button.

Got the count full.

>> Paul: first pitch to Halle Karaidos .

on the ball and it was just spinning.

She will spin it a lot to get the movement on those pitches.

She will get that trip in you can see the logo.

It was right there and the same is just spinning top to bottom.

The seam is just spinning .

>> Paul: spins and fires high.

Same pitch as before.

Webb is going to play collegiately at Ferris State .

That is in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

It is a beautiful campus.

Karaidos down on strikes .

she said one of the reasons that she chose Ferris State was the coaches.

They had experience being in the state of Iowa.

Jake Schumer was an assistant at the University of Iowa for a couple of years and then head softball Coach at Devonport West.

So there are some ties to the state of Iowa and that appealed to Ashley Webb.

>> Paul: the 1-0 coming to Destiny Sparks.

Sparks with rolled sleeves on the left and right side.

Swing and a miss.

Strike two.

Webb seems to have found a groove in her pitching .

>> Laura: maybe shaking some nerves off and starting to settle in.

You can see her body language is a bit more relaxed.

>> Paul: Laughlin skids over to get that one.

It was a good hit.

Watch this one.

>> Laura: she leveled it off and dumped it into the outfield.

>> Paul: now we go to family Netten .

Finley Netten .

Netten flashed bunt.

Why not.

>> Laura: get the defense on their toes.

>> Paul: you have already made this team commit two errors.

So, why not.

Swing and a miss to the sophomore.

>> Laura: Webb put everything she had into that pitch.

It fell off to the first side of that circle.

Running down to second and stealing.

That is Destiny Sparks.

>> Paul: a bit of a delayed reaction from Kessler.

Right on just a little late.

>> Paul: we will pause for just a minute .

>> Paul: Lisa Brink Meyer lost her battle with brain cancer in June.

A battle she had been fighting for more than a year.

The Hubbard Radcliffe grad had excelled in volleyball and soft all but it is basketball where she was remembered most for winning the six on six state championship in 1993.

Lisa knew firsthand what it meant to be an Iowa girl.

>> Whether you played well or you did not, you were still an Iowa girl .

As I grew older and I made it to state, I realized more what the Iowa girl was.

The Iowa girls athletic league puts girls on a pedestal.

I got to play with a lot of players from around the country and across the United States and I would talk about my experience and they would look at me like I was crazy because they were not treated the same way.

It is always neat to make it to state wherever you go but, you were just celebrities because of what you had done but , in Iowa, they stand out.

>> Brink went on to Coach at Drake and landed her position at the IGHSAU.

Her contribution on and off the court is what made her the embodiment of the Iowa girl.

>> Paul: back to live action.

Reimers with the catch.

We had a chance to see that play during this at-bat and Webb just got out of that one.

>> Laura: she got a full swing on that .

>> Paul: Sueppel pulls back and fouls that into the Netten.

Some of the pitchers that we went through in that tribute to Lisa were here at Fort Dodge when she played softball .

And a huge thank you to her family for those images.

>> Laura: they really helped us with a wonderful tribute to Lisa.

People wore their Brinks bench T-shirts.

All of us will always be on her bench.

>> Paul: over the head of Vaught and not on time on that relay throw.

It is a one out double for Sueppel .

>> Laura: she got it in in a hurry.

She rounded first base fast to get it in there.

That might be what Regina needs.

>> Paul: Sueppel scored back in the quarterfinal round.

Van Meter gets the hit.

First pitch to Conner who was the hero for the home run.

Conner, I remember from last year having conversations with her as a freshman.

That pitch misses.

She has blossomed into having We have discussed overtime how there are some girls that just stand out.

She is one of them.

She has a genuine love of the game.

>> Laura: all of these players throughout the week, I have been so impressed with the questions they have answered.

How they have handled reporters.

I think it goes back to being an Iowa girl and understanding what you have to do when you get to the state tournament .

You have to stand up to a lot of reporters.

>> Paul: if you want to go back and watch any of these games you can do that on the YouTube page.

Bridgers Richards throws it back with some seeing.

>> Paul: Richards signs it finds it right away and get center it.

>> Paul: that pitch, swung on and miss.

Kent was all over it.

They are out and they are under the shade and this is actually tolerable 80 degree weather.

We have some great images out in center.

The people in the truck got to know Lisa Brink Meyer over the years.

Fouled right back above where we are right now under the stands.

>> Laura: not a better person than Lisa Brinkmeyer to bring us all together .

Always calm, cool, and collected.

Night have been one of the funniest people I had ever met.

She could take a tight moment and lighten it up real quick.

>> Paul: senior Panther .

Down 1-2.

In and over.

A couple of runners left on base.

Can't do anything more.

We have played two full innings and it is 1-0, Van Meter .

Ashley Webb, we had a chance to look at her in slow motion.

>> Laura: we talked about when we spoke with her and being a left-hander how things will break differently.

And you are going to have to adjust to that when you get up to the plate but, you can see that.

I have talked about the spin that we can see when a pitch is coming in.

She does spin a lot.

>> Paul: and that goes back to Kessler play about learning the personality and the physical actions.

It happens more in baseball.

But it also does in softball.

You just don't have that many left-handed pitchers.

>> Laura: there are not many left-handed pitchers so when you see one you have to make a quick adjustment and look for a different location and release point.

For a catcher, that is different.

The work that these two have put in during the off-season is tremendous.

They were able to work well and figure each other out and get on the same page.

And they got themselves to a state championship.

>> Paul: Courtney Kessler was also fun to talk to.

The composure that she has to >> Laura: they are also fun to talk to .

We get some interesting answers and some interesting stories that we get to tell to all of the viewers.

0-2 to Wallace.

>> Laura: you asked Ashley Webb about the pink shirt and she said she did not get one.

She transferred in from Clear Creek Amana and she said she would like to get one.

She said there are state shirts for the fans and the team and they say back to back to back.

She said she just wants a pink T-shirt.

>> Paul: strike out on Wallace .

Third of the game for Webb .

>> Paul: that rising ball is working for her today.

Those are tough to catch up to as a hitter.

>> Paul: that will make way for Maddie Waldorf.

Waldorf reached on an error.

That Regina committed and that kind of opened the door.

Changeup .

Misses.

The margin for error in softball is the size of a dime.

The size of the diamond just accentuates the mistake.

That pitch misses.

>> Paul: Webb is going to take a second a walk around the circle .

But she needs to collect her thoughts and come back strong.

>> Paul: 3-0 .

That one misses as well.

Kessler calls for time and goes out to talk to Webb.

I'm sure Kessler will have a conversation to ask where are those missing.

>> Laura: maybe both of them just wanted to vent a little bit.

And to say, let's forget about that one.

Put it in the backseat and let's not think about it in after the next hitter.

>> Paul: and that is the pitcher, Blomgren .

Flied out to center.

She is 0-1 today.

>> Paul: that seems like good advice there.

>> Paul: let's see if she takes that advice and can hit the pitch.

In the air but out of play again.

Down the first base side.

Blomgren with 43 RBIs this season.

As a hitter she has an injury and that has kept some of her development back.

She has been able to do a lot for this team to get them to where they are right now.

>> Laura: she has worked really hard to come back from that injury .

She had surgery back on Halloween.

She has rehabbed and worked hard.

Reoccurrence of that back injury and then she said she was not missing her last season.

She wore a back brace and went to physical therapy.

They managed her pitch count for most of the season knowing that they would want her when they got to state.

>> Paul: 2-2 .

Blomgren is a five year starter .

She is headed to DMACC.

Pitching and hitting against centrals brings she was to of to in a RBIs.

Trying to find a single to move the line.

Puts it in play.

Cham lifts scoops it up.

That was in foul territory at the time though.

>> Paul: Webb looks in bent over at the waist and fires.

>> Laura: you can see Coach Flaws saying, don't go after those pitches.

>> Paul: pitch number eight .

Down the first base line.

Trying to get to third.

And, she is safe.

Blomgren into second and advancing on the throw .

But now Van Meter is in business.

A great piece of hitting.

>> Laura: take a look here.

It's very close over there at second.

>> Paul: we are going to have a courtesy runner and I think we Coach Angela Kessler is having words with the home plate umpire, Deidre Moore.

The umpire crew is going to have a conference.

>> Paul: that was on the tag at second .

>> Laura: so they came back after the tag.

concern there might have been some pushback.

The umpire talked with both of them.

It was sportsmanship.

It is in tents out here.

Let's just calm things down.

Good job by everybody all the way around.

>> Paul: Ella Reimers batting .

She had a fielder's choice back in the first.

>> Laura: they need to look to hold that runner now .

>> Paul: throw down to third to get Waldorf back on the base.

Runners already on second so you are only risking throwing it to right field.

Pretty sure that Kessler has all of the confidence in the >> Laura: Waldorf put the brakes on very quickly when she saw the ball was not going to get down.

>> Paul: bunt on.

Popped foul .

We will see how willing Coach Flaws wants to be .

>> Laura: that is the bunt we talked about in the first game.

Most of the teams in the championship game did not lay down a bunt but they laid them down all tournament long.

We thought we would see more of that.

>> Paul: Reimers fouls that away.

>> Laura: Reimers is the captain of this team and this is an opportunity for her to step up and cushion the league Lead for them.

>> Paul: the pitch from Webb .

Waldorf stumbles home .

Double- play strikeout .

A little unconventional.

And the bunt was missed.

She was way down the line.

I think even if she doesn't fall she doesn't make it .

>> Laura: of that is the definition of the riverboat gambler .

The runner is going.

Take a chance.

And they got thrown out.

>> Paul: Blomgren will go back into the circle .

gets moving on her pitches.

Coming into the tournament she only had nine appearances in the circle.

The other night, Tuesday and Wednesday was the first time all season that she pitched back-to-back so they were happy to have that day off yesterday to give her a little rest .

She said the pain subsided in mid- June and she has not had much pain since then.

They don't know why but they think it is a little bit of a miracle that she is not dealing with as much pain as she was earlier in the season.

Meter a little bit of confidence.

The other pitcher that has a lot of innings is --.

Because coming into the tournament, Blomgren had that .

Clark leading things off here for Regina.

>> Paul: shows bunt and it goes foul .

>> Laura: maybe it is a good time to try to surprise the defense.

>> Paul: the pitch from Blomgren misses.

Alli Clark gets another chance to hit.

Swings and misses .

Strike three.

That is the second of the game for her.

>> Laura: that is an aggressive pitch .

>> Paul: that pitch gets away from Richards.

>> Laura: just watching Blomgren she gave the no more sign.

I think that was her little signal to the coaches that let's not call that pitch.

I don't have the touch on that one for this game.

>> Paul: hopefully they saw that in the dugout.

Otherwise we are going to see a whole lot of headshaking going on.

1-1, misses .

Kies leads the team with 105 at-bats.

The reason I was looking at at- bats is how often you are pitch That goes to left-center.

All the way to the fence and with the standup double is Avery Kies with one away in the third.

>> Paul: Nice easy swing.

Kies is right there standing on second base and got there in a here he .

Hurry.

Dani Laughlin will step in.

The first pitch misses and they throw aggressively at Blomgren .

Like if she does not want to cut it off, she needs to get to second.

>> Laura: She is a dangerous hitter because she can do a lot of things from there.

A hard slap, soft slap .

>> Paul: Do you like a player to have all of those attributes?

>> Laura: Absolutely .

And to make a split-second decision on what to do and how to do it.

If she sees the corners crashing in she may try to punch it through and that might be that hard slap.

But she also has some power in her bat so she can swing away.

>> Paul: Laughlin is headed to Texas state after this season.

She wants to be a child psychiatrist.

The 2-2 pitch is fouled and out >> Laura: She had a good semi final.

She was perfect at the plate.

>> Paul: Blomgren fakes to third.

And now Laughlin is just going to jog down to second.

They look and are going to have to commit some time.

Normally a team does not bite on that play.

But, that time, Laughlin played it to perfection .

Allowing the wriggles to tie it up.

>> Just be active and ready to move.

>> Paul: Let's see this one again.

Laughlin easily could have gotten an out at first.

You see that play all of the time.

The jog down and Blomgren throws it to second.

Worst you want to run Laughlin back to first.

>> Laura: The hard part about that is she is running away from first base so she has to pivot and throw as opposed to pushing back.

You have a better angle to throw home if the runner breaks but since she was running towards second base that is a tough throw because you have to throw across your body making that stop, pivot, and make an accurate throw.

Regina did everything they needed to.

>> Paul: Kessler at the plate.

Laughlin scoots on down to third .

Another run stands at third.

Opportunity and a dangerous hitter here.

>> Laura: Just going back to the play where Laughlin got in that rundown, she was telling the infield let's hold it.

>> Paul: Kessler rips that one out to left for an RBI and the Regals take their first run .

>> Laura: Hit it hard.

And Kessler always comes through with a big hit.

>> Paul: Laughlin scores.

2-1 and Kessler stands at first .

Now batting is the pitcher, Ashley Webb.

Swings at the first offering.

>> Paul: Webb says the emotions can sometimes get the best of her.

She will show her emotions sometimes.

Fouls another one back.

She is able to put that one into the field.

I imagine we will see someone --.

>> Laura: She in that quarter final game, she really showed her emotion in the circle.

You can see that emotion bubble to the top.

>> Paul: This can bring a motion.

>> Laura: Especially at this point.

Getting to for Dodge is what a lot of these ladies have >> Paul: Look at her go.

>> Laura: Always like to have those few players in the dugout they get everybody fired up.

>> Paul: Erwin is going to be running for courtesy.

It can be a kids game and it is fun.

If you were going to give up your summer to play --although the season this year started in a mid-May -- first game for Van Meter was the 23rd and the 22nd was the first one for Regina.

Hit in the air and that is playable for Vaughn.

Vaught .

The inning started with a strikeout but since then it has been a double , a single, and a single.

Four Street hits.

First pitch is a strike.

>> Laura: Van Meter is thinking, let's get out of the snow .

Our bats are making good contact.

We need to get that run back that we gave up.

>> Paul: Do you get the sense that Regina has some more confidence now.

>> Laura: Regina was a bit tighter but there swings were not as sure but they are a bit more free swinging.

>> Paul: Regina and Van Meter played last year .

But, Van Meter did not see the same pitcher as it was a senior last year .

So, these teams are somewhat familiar and they also played in 2016.

Van Meter won that championship .

That was like a lifetime ago, 2016.

>> Laura: It seems like it.

You do such a good job remembering these games and I'm like when was that?

What?

>> Paul: Kristin to my left remembers this.

Could not do it without Chris.

I was reading through some of his other notes here.

A couple of them I am going to save.

Chris didn't even want to be in our twitter pitcher before the game.

0-2.

That one is going all the way to the wall!

Right before it gets there, Vaught --and it is now 3-1 , Regina.

>> Laura: That bald is not good underneath the glove of a good job with the score.

Reimers was able to send Kessler home.

>> Paul: Reimers goes to second.

They give a hit and an error on that.

The old thumbs up, thumbs down signal.

Earlier today I thought there was another plate in the first that I thought they would roll that a double.

But, that is the first error of the game for Van Meter .

And it comes at a crucial point in the game.

Conner is at second .

She just had the RBI.

>> Laura: by Richards.

Not letting that balsamic pastor.

>> Paul: Gahan there .

She also has those pink shoestrings.

>> Laura: I have noticed that a lot of the girls have added to their uniforms the pink accents.

They are getting the pink theme that goes along with the girls union and the Iowa girl that goes along with the tournament.

>> Paul: I think, there was a tag in that last shot that you get every time and you know that girls keep those tags on their backpack no matter what sport .

Whether it is volleyball or basketball, there is a different tag for each sport in the girls union logo is on many of those bags.

And those are hanging on Wilton boards across the state.

Line hit again .

Erwin scores.

Conner on third .

Another run for the Regals.

>> Laura: They are able to knock in one more run.

>> Paul: six of the last seven has made it in.

It is up to Panther now.

to bat in this inning.

>> Paul: She wanted to make sure how they were going to handle it.

>> Laura: She wanted to make sure everybody knew exactly what was going to happen .

>> Paul: She had a double at Northeast.

That pitch is low.

The appeal on the offer and no go.

One ball, one strike and two outs in the third.

Panther sends it to left.

It gets by Reimers and she throws it to third.

Panther makes it to second and comes through with another ball in play .

>> Laura: Reimers is playing deep and the ball is just under her glove.

And now the Regals are finding all of the right spot .

>> Laura: They just want to get out of this inning.

No more drops.

No more damage.

>> Paul: We go back to the hotbox.

There is one out.

Just little things all adding up and Regina, she has to play that deep because Regina can hit the ball extremely well.

>> Laura: They provide the power from their end and Blomgren from the other end and when you hit it on that sweet spot it is going to fly.

>> Paul: Strike .

All of that momentum is swinging over to Regina right now.

They are up 5-1.

Across but not on time.

She probably was the right player to make that.

This was close.

Extremely tough.

>> Laura: she is the right one to pick that up that it was hit just slow enough.

She made a good strong throw but it was just in the right spot against the defense.

>> Paul: 11th REgal to bat.

is the top of the order.

Richards goes out to call the first and third play.

Wallace in front of the bag.

>> Paul: Six runs on seven hits for Regina in this inning.

Fouled back and off to the left by Kies.

>> Laura: she had a double last time she was up .

She came around and she scored.

We are in one of those hitting cycles where everybody is feeling it.

>> Paul: The pitch two Kies just misses.

>> Paul: Two balls and one strike.

Again, fouled back into the net .

>> Laura: Just getting pieces of that to stay alive.

We just lost the scoreboard lights.

>> Paul: 6-1 on the screen.

It was a big inning.

For Regina.

Let's see what Coach Flaws has to say .

>> This game is not over!

>> One pitch at a time.

If you start to chase that rise ball, --.

Bulldogs and three.

>> Dogs !

>> Paul: The Bulldogs are in a tough spot.

They have not gone quietly in any inning that they have batted.

They left a runner on second and ran out of the inning in the third.

The third was just an inning away from their memories.

It will be up to Richards, Button, and Karaidos for Regina.

We just listened in to Coach Flaws and we had a chance to talk to his dad a few days ago.

He was sitting here in his blue and I asked if he got a discount on the blue because he usually wears red and yellow and I asked if he was nervous.

He said no.

Everybody in the party stopped and asked him to answer that again.

>> Laura: It goes back to are the parents service for their kids.

And they are.

They are all invested in this.

Their family has been invested.

I asked about the family tree and I got confused.

There is a lot of Flaws that are coaching.

Brothers, cousins, tween coaches.

They have had a hand in a lot of girls softball athletic careers.

>> Paul: The one out.

By Richards.

I have to say hello to her dad, John.

He is a player and that showed up on a memory the other day.

You meet some parents and you just don't know when you will see them again.

A lot of things have to line up for you to have that regular date at state.

They are up 6-1 in the top of the fourth.

>> Laura: If you are Van Meter you were thinking one run at a time.

You need to see if you can start your own rally.

>> Paul: Swing Andy miss.

Making way for Button .

Here to bat in the fourth with one out.

Button is heading to Indian Hills .

She has not played a lot of school ball .

Only a couple of years but she says she has loved every second of it.

>> Laura: So much that she is going to continue her career at Indian Hills.

>> Paul: The 0-1 over the right fielder.

Kies chases it down .

>> Laura: Showing a little emotion.

That one right off the glove of Kies.

>> Paul: That started left and went right.

>> Laura: She was trying to track that one down.

>> Paul: Big hit for Button.

Her nickname -- >> Laura: I was going to ask.

>> Paul: It is beef .

>> Laura: I think if it was a single you would have heard it more definitively .

But she rounded second so everybody was cheering for that.

>> Paul: Button is going to does see Doe on down to third .

>> Laura: As a hitter you want to get the ball to the right hand side of the field.

One run at a time.

You can get you can put one into the right field.

>> Paul: Halle Karaidos -- heading that one run back and then it is 6-2.

The grand slam is so rare.

But you just feel more in the game .

When you are down by one possession.

Four feels more attainable than five.

>> Laura: Right .

There is just more options.

You still have to keep the line up moving along.

You have got to load up the bases but in your mind you are thinking , if we can do that with one swing of the bat, you can do that and that is when you want to get the swing across.

>> Paul: That one thrown to second base.

And an RBI single .

Just what for Van Meter .

This is their second run of the game and that makes it 6-2.

>> Laura: It got jammed up a little bit but they were able to get it just a little bit closer.

>> Paul: Coach Kessler was out there and she had convened court.

She was in charge.

She had something for everybody on that one.

>> Laura: You can just see that she has a good understanding of the game and a good feel of the game.

She controls it from behind the plate for the team.

>> Paul: I know Kessler says she wants to be a veterinarian but I think she has a future in coaching.

Her mom was her Coach.

For a lot of years.

Angela coached Courtney his older brother in baseball.

The 1-1 is swung on and missed.

This group asked Angela, why don't you Coach is?

You have got to do it.

She answered in her third year.

>> Laura: She said she swore off coaching for a while.

She said she had done enough of that.

Now she is back into coaching mode and there is a little bit of emotion from her.

She thought she might have had the strikeout.

>> Paul: the 2-2 coming.

The lead runner is erased.

Good heads up play and if she makes that right away and did not have the hesitation, they might have gotten that double- play.

>> Laura: I think they could have.

That little hesitation --I'm sure somebody yelled at her and she finally turned and got it to second base.

If it had been an immediate reaction to second base they would've had a good shot at a double-play.

>> Paul: Finley Netten scored the first run back earlier in the game.

Down in the count now , 0-1 .

They get back in the circle and they get set with that multicolored bat.

Hits it in the air high.

Kies collects and catches.

Out number three.

Van Meter gets another runner on base but cannot push it across here in the fourth.

And we are going to have just a little bit of housekeeping going on as Coach Flaws is talking to the home plate umpire to say I am going to do this and this right now.

out there .

What are you seeing from her .

>> She is doing a great job.

We need to throw the ball a bit cleaner and that will help us.

>> Paul: We were able to hear you and you said just one out at a time.

>> That's right.

We have got to focus on one pitch and one bat at a time.

>> Paul: Laslty, about the hitting, you know you just want to get through.

>> That is right.

>> Paul: I appreciate your time.

Coach Flaws in his 10th year coaching.

He is headed back to the dugout to call the pitches.

We always have to remind them that the game will be held.

First pitch swung by Laughlin in the air.

One pitch and one out.

That is one way to get you started.

>> Laura: If are Van Meter, that is what you want.

Get back on plate and get some baserunners on.

>> Paul: They are facing Kessler with nobody on.

Good pitch.

We don't take many breaks in the action so I can't ask many questions off of headset.

So let me ask you this one.

How long do you stay with Blomgren ?

>> Laura: You no, I think she is throwing really well .

Sometimes you just have a bad inning where you just cannot get the out and you give up a lot of runs.

I think she is hitting spots and she is throwing well and on Parta good pace.

>> Paul: Part of it is that they have a really good hitting team.

>> Laura: And they really did not know they would score a bunch like they did.

They have speed and they have power and they have right- handers and left-handers.

It is tough to navigate your way through the Regina lineup.

>> Paul: Webb is ahead in the count now .

2-0.

2-5-1 for the visiting team and 6-8-2 for the visiting team, Regina.

That one misses.

>> Laura: When you get the first two quickly, you have to refocus.

You cannot put this runner on.

>> Paul: Blomgren gets another chance to even things back up here.

Fouled off .

Rolls back to the screen right in front of us.

Webb looks down at Coach Kessler and acknowledges the sign.

Flyball lifted.

Reimers collects.

1-2-3 goes Regina.

Much better inning for Van Meter .

As you said, the Coach has got to -- >> Keep with that fastball.

You have got this right now!

Bulldogs on three.

>> Dogs!

>> Paul: Let's go to Coach Kessler with Iowa City.

Let s talk defense.

Did that set the tempo for your batting?

>> Anytime you have a great play on defense that brings you the energy flow quicker and easier.

It gives him the confidence that they need.

>> Paul: What work?

>> We always talk about having at bats.

Fortunately, I have seven or eight batters that can hit the ball well .

It just makes for an easy at that because everybody can do their job at the plate they just need to focus on having their at that.

So we talked about doing that at the plate in the execution.

>> Paul: Thank you Coach .

She has a smile on now.

And glitter in her hair.

>> Laura: She did not really want to.

But it is important to the girls.

Coach, what did you do with your pink shirt?

And she said it's hanging up in her bedroom.

She said her husband is not crazy about it.

>> Laura: I think everybody does something different.

Laughlin brought it and said she was sleeping in it.

>> Paul: Panther with the over the shoulder catch from Wallace.

>> Laura: Talk about players with the pink shoelaces and the pink sleeves and the pink accent with their uniforms, Coach Kessler has her fingernails done with pink tips.

So they have that going with issues in the shoelaces.

Everybody has their little nod to the pink color of the girls union.

>> Paul: There that you mentioned earlier.

Pop up and now drifting into a flyball out to write.

Avery Kies collects.

And two away.

We had one lineup change here.

That was at the break while the interviews were going on.

Reimers lead left and playing in her place now is Kennedy Wiedman .

Now batting for Van Meter is Macy Blomgren.

She steps in with two outs in the fifth.

First pitch , ball.

1-0.

Misses.

>> Paul: Two balls and a strike.

That goes back to Webb who makes the play and retires the side.

Van Meter for the first time today, with an 1-2-3 in that is an inopportune time for the Bulldogs.

Let's go to to listen to the Coach.

We are going to stand and stretch.

If you are at home, stand up and stretch to get the blood flowing.

>> Let me hear you!

>> [ Singing ] >> Paul: Van Meter goes 1-2-3 .

Wiedman stays in left.

Sueppel leads things off for Regina .

First pitch hit in the air to the right.

Sparks collects it about one foot off the ground.

Great play.

>> Laura: I think that bull worked away from her because she looked like she had it under control then all of a sudden she had to speed up to catch up to it right before it fell into fair territory.

>> Paul: Kennedy Conner batting now .

fifth.

First pitch strike .

One more game to go.

Following this one.

In our triple header coverage.

Conner watches that one.

Game one already .

Williamsburg beat assumption to win the 3A.

Conner with another strike .

One more game to go.

Our 1A game will be Martin's Dale against Saint Mary's.

That pitch is fouled into the net.

>> Laura: She generally has good ball control and can generate some power.

>> Paul: That goes out to the left for out number two.

>> Laura: Come to the ballgame and the ball always seems to find you.

They are doing a good job of tracking that one in.

>> Paul: We will have a guest joining us here for a little conversation.

Two outs in a the Regals half of the fifth .

Morgan Gahan at the plate right now.

She had a single in the third .

Finley Netten across to Button for out number three and the Regals go 1-2-3 and they have not done that since the first inning .

So, that is why the boss had to come in and make sure I was doing something.

The executive director is here.

Are you here my duties?

>> Oh, no .

>> Laura: Did you notice that the sun came out as soon as she walked in.

>> I think this is just the best ever weather.

>> Paul: It has to be.

You know, after 6:00 some people were wearing coats.

Is back and we might be tonight.

>> Paul: So , great weather.

And the return of the bunt.

>> And, a 7-8 championship game.

>> Paul: if you would've told the Coach that I don't think he would've believe that .

>> Laura: we have seen a lot of pink shoelaces and Coach Kessler has her nails painted pink.

The girls are starting to embrace that pink theme.

>> I think this year is the year of the pink sparkly hair.

How is that glitter ever going to come out of their hair?

>> Paul: The first pitch to Reimers who comes back.

And I asked if they are in a dorm or a hotel.

And they say they are in a hotel.

>> Laura: So, what's the biggest surprise of the game?

>> For me, it is the hits.

Being a former pitcher, it's not like I enjoy a 33 hit game also , I would tell you, I am very impressed by the speed and stealing and how coaches are manufacturing runs.

Williamsburg was a great example and Fort Dodge has always done that .

They get on and the steal and make you make a play and before you know it, you toss the ball around and there are runs across the plate.

>> Laura: We talked with some of the coaches about the return of the bunt and the small ball .

The pitchers are becoming so dominant you have to figure out a way to manufacture that.

>> It has been fun to watch that.

I am watching the Regina and Van Meter teams and I think it was 6-8 straight .

That is how Regina Very impressive how they kept picking at it.

>> Paul: Sueppel for the out .

But here is the thing .

You give the teams extra hitting practice and the use it to focus in on the bunt?

>> They do have 10 days of hitting and I am sure that helps.

I'm sure no one is going to say it does not help.

I think we just have coaches who, they are teaching it.

And now you are starting to see the girls , certainly we see their fundamentals.

I was so impressed with Centennial and the power that they hit with.

Very impressed with their offenses show here.

>> Paul: You did hear the stat about that game?

There was only one swing and miss.

>> Unbelievable .

We did not have a lot of 1-2-3 game innings until Saint Mary's .

That was really a late inning so sometimes a 1-2-3 inning mixed with a lot of hits is a good thing.

>> Paul: I'm sorry to have interrupted Laura .

>> Laura: We play summer softball.

What is the attendance been like for coaches?

>> I always say that summer is the perfect time because they are done with their season and they can watch high school softball every night in the summer.

We have had Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa State, Drake , many junior colleges.

We have a special seating area just for college coaches so they don't stand behind you and all over and so they can see.

I think for the most part they have wrapped up who they want but there are some pretty impressive eighth-graders playing varsity ball right now.

>> Paul: And then they know who to keep an eye on.

I know the boys did a survey for baseball.

Are you thinking about moving this to more a spring sport?

>> The girls athletic union is not considering that.

They like summer softball very much.

But, it is also, in so many of our communities, it is summer entertainment.

When I drive here and the for a small town without summer baseball and softball .

It is really big for our schools to have.

>> Paul: I had to ask that because that is a debate .

We are about to enter that and I know that families can get away and you are preserving that.

>> Yes.

We are preserving that and probably considering adding at some point.

Kids need a break.

And I know the first thing you are going to say is, they are going to go off and do something next weekend that is true but it does not have to be in school.

We have so many multisport athletes.

Don't tell me it is a small school because I went to Pleasant Valley and we were in volleyball, and basketball with the same girls.

>> Paul: She is two of three.

>> Laura: That was a good solid swing.

Panther is out there running around and showing some enthusiasm.

>> Paul: One more enthusiast question.

You are not going to move the season but are you looking to lengthen the season?

>> No.

I think right now 40 means you pretty much play every night.

I would like to have a discussion on how you get better if you don't practice and correct from game to game.

I would like to have a discussion about that and of course, as far as schools where then go to varsity as a runner, that is a long day.

I just want to make sure that there is a solution to some of the things that we talk about.

>> Paul: Very good.

We appreciate you.

>> We appreciate having you here in Fort Dodge.

Thank >> Laura: you Jean Berger.

>> Paul: That is an out.

And thank you to Jean Berger for training us.

We always love to hear what she has to play.

I know those questions are always on the mind of people .

There are always whispers of this and that so I thought we would just get that straight from her.

Kies fouls out one away .

>> Laura: She has made a lot of changes since coming in as executive director and now I think it is at a very good place or level.

You really don't need a whole lot of tweaks as far as what is happening at the girls athletic union.

Running >> Paul: Running on first is Kies .

Swing and a miss by Kies for out number two.

Only the third strike that we have seen for.

>> Laura: Really Goodspeed in that gets Kies out on that front foot.

will make way for Laughlin.

With two outs in the sixth.

Laughlin launches it towards center.

And grabbing it is Katie and we go to the seventh and Van Meter is down to the final three outs.

Let's see if we have any big words coming.

I half expected that.

You just can't be overdramatic in that situation.

>> Laura: No --you know what has to happen and you just have to go about your business.

>> Let's take a look at how we ended up 6-2.

>> Paul: Earlyu on , there was That is how Van Meter got there first run and then there was some confusion and then there was a pickle.

That led to a run and then six hits and then seven and then eight.

A huge inning as Kies, Laughlin, Kessler , Conner all scored runs.

Six runs scored in that third inning.

That righted the Regals ship .

The old adage is put the ball in play and good things will happen.

>> Laura: Make the defense make the play and they did.

They tried to make a comeback.

Now they have a tall task in front of them.

>> Paul: 6-2 in the seventh.

Do up for Van Meter is Destiny Sparks.

Followed by Finley Netten and then Lawrence.

Webb .

What a pitch.

>> Laura: These hitters are a bit anxious.

Wanting to make contact.

Showing them something different.

>> Paul: Swing and a miss.

Sparks goes down.

Webb with six strikeouts.

>> Paul: Back to back pitches.

Sparks could not hold back.

>> Laura: Swings right through it.

>> Paul: We are approaching the 7:00 hour.

Is there any magic left in a Van Meter .

They are down 6-2.

Netten led off the game with the first score and now trying to reach base .

Looks at a strike.

>> Paul: The pitch.

At that one had movement.

>> Laura: It has been a steady diet of consistent pitches from Webb .

>> Paul: 1-2 .

Outside.

Last time we had back-to-back champions in this is 2010.

The last time we had any back- to-back was in 2018 2019.

Swing picked up at short.

Sueppel over to Panther.

Winterset has done that in 22-23 .

With their win last night.

It is up to Wallace.

>> Laura: Good by went to let that go through to Sueppel .

She had the better angle.

Just one out away from repeating.

>> Paul: Two outs.

Great spin on that one.

The cowboy hats were pink for Van Meter and they were bedazzled.

I think they will have to do some retrofitting to them if things go well for them.

That one is high to Wallace.

Just moving the line along.

That is a strike.

A minuscule 1.50 era entering the tournament.

Ashley Webb wanted that chance.

To win.

Van Meter down to their last strike .

>> Laura: She is looking for that chance to get one of those pink shirts.

She definitely would like to join in and match them.

>> Paul: The pitch off the plate .

>> Laura: Everybody was holding their breath on that one waiting for the call and it did not come.

>> Paul: Webb winds up and fires.

Foul.

Caught in the netting .

Where balls go to die on that dugout roof.

Look at all of that glitter in the hair .

That is going to be in all of their helmets.

Ground ball foul .

>> Laura: That is what Kessler said about last year.

She had that glitter in her home it all season long and it reminded her of that state championship.

>> Paul: The 3-2 foul the way.

Wallace just battling.

That is a lot of breath holding getting to this point.

Here is the pitch.

High .

Wallace turned and walked and that leads to Waldorf.

>> Laura: She did earn that.

Able to get ball four and head down to first.

Trying to fire up her teammates as she went down to stand on the first base.

>> Paul: The leader in hits is at the plate.

Webb winds and fires.

Shows bunt and pulls back.

0-1.

Webb looks in.

Called strike.

>> Laura: Got those first couple of outs of the inning and they got a little ahead of themselves.

Now they are starting to lock in and take care of business.

>> Paul: Maddie Waldorf looked at strike two and just thought, okay.

One ball and two strikes.

The pitch from Webb .

Ground ball backhanded by Sueppel .

Thrown across the field but not in time and the inning continues.

Not much Sueppel was able to do with that.

Tough spot.

Kessler -- both Coach and player call timeout and the Coach is going to walk out.

We will listen in if we can.

>> She has not touched a pitch that you have put in there.

You have an easy out.

Anywhere you want to go.

>> Paul: Let's listen in at the other dugout.

>> Laura: Coach Kessler lets them know that they are going to put Blomgren on.

Trying to fire up .

He is cutting the crowd fired up as she takes first base so that loads them up.

>> Laura: We are going to have a pinch-hitter.

>> Paul: She represents the tying run in a the seventh inning.

Strike one.

>> Laura: Deep breath for Wiedman .

Looking for the clutch hit to get things going.

>> Paul: Back to Webb .

Back- to-back 2022 and 2023 class 2A champions , the Iowa City Regina Regals !

>> Laura: Van Meter made it interesting down the stretch.

With a little bit of a scare into Regina but they were able to get that final out.

They jumped out on top early and put the pressure on the defending state champions.

Got them the lead and held onto it.

Back-to-back championships .

>> Paul: They play that off of the offense and defense of side of things.

Van Meter, don't count them out though .

>> Laura: They have a good nucleus coming back and they will be able to build on the momentum and the success that this team has had.

year.

>> Paul: Pink shirts handed out and you know that they wanted them.

Ashley Webb got hers.

Look at her .

She has been waiting a long time to do this.

>> Laura: You can hear the crowd yelling "Back-to-back ! "

Ashley Webb putting on that shirt and the pitcher and the catcher with big hugs knowing how much they put into this season.

>> From Van Meter, Maddie Waldorf.

From Central Springs , Abby beats.

From Central Springs , Laney Williams.

From central Springs, Lizzie Hammond.

From Regina, Gabby Sueppel .

From Van Meter, Beth Button .

From Van Meter , Macy Blomgren .

From Regina , Dani Laughlin.

From Van Meter , Lauren Wallace .

And, your class 2A all tournament Captain for 2023 , from Regina , Ashley Webb.

>> Paul: If thought the pink shirt was cool, she's now got a metal around her neck.

>> ThatLaura: is not something she thought about before.

Her performance over the course of three days here at the state tournament, from that pitching circle is pretty tremendous.

Helped her teammates when a second championship.

>> Paul: It takes a team but the pitching is a huge part.

>> Laura: Yes, it is.

She stepped into a difficult situation.

She had to get used to teammates, different friends and teachers.

It was a big adjustment and she stopped right in and said that the community was so welcoming when she came in and transferred over that it turned out to be a very good situation.

>> Every participating player will receive a commemorative softball provided by Iowa Farm Bureau .

Presenting awards to members of the IGHSAU -- congratulations to the runners- up.

Head Coach James Flaws on an outstanding 212 2023 softball season.

And now, Regals, you please complete your bracket.

your 2023 class 2A state champions, the Regals from a Iowa City Regina .

>> Paul: So , the Regals go back to back.

We have one more game to go.

Regina takes the title in class 2A.

So long from Fort Dodge.

>>> Funding provided by -- Musco Lighting, the sports lighting specialists.

Providing lighting systems for you, your project and your community.

[ Music ] The Pella Rolscreen foundation is a proud supporter of Iowa pbs.

Pella windows and doors strive to better our communities and build a better tomorrow.

And by Fareway meat and grocery.

For more than 80 years, Fareway has been proud to be an active part of the communities we serve.

Learn more at fareway.com.

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