>>> Funding provided by -- >> You work hard to feed them well.

At fairway we're committed to personalized service while treating our customers like family and.

Fair way meat and grocery.

That's what we're all about.

>> But Musco lighting, providing lighting systems for you, your project and your community.

>>> one of the most Butte Iowa summer nights of the year.

we're in Fort Dodge Iowa.

it's the start of the championship games for the Iowa state softball tournament as we welcome you to this match-up with the defending chaps, the top seed Fort Dodge Dodgers and third seeded Waukee Northwest, their first year as a school.

along sometime Ali Kemper, I'm Brad wells.

she's a two-time Iowa player of the year.

Ali, this 5A match-up, three so much experience on the field tonight.

>> Definitely.

this is truly the match-up we've been waiting for.

the returning champions and the new team on the block, Waukee Northwest.

>> Let's take a look at the Waukee Northwest northwest wolves and what they bring here in their first year ever, still head coach Carrie Eby who coached for a very long time going into the high school athletic hall of fame.

>> she does not give up runs, this Fort Dodge team has been scoring runs along with Waukee Northwest as well.

>> for Fort Dodge, they have been in the championship game the last three years.

they're defending 5A state champions.

>> led by Jalen Adams.

for this team it's all about energy.

you'll notice in the crowd, in the dugout and on the field.

Jalen Adams leading the state in nearly every category.

energy here in Fort Dodge and send it up to Tim Fitzpatrick, our public address announcer.

>> Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

welcome to Rogers sports complex and this 5A championship state softball between the visiting team, the Waukee Northwest wolves and the home team, the Fort Dodge Dodgers.

It's time to meet your players and coaches.

first of all, here are your non-starters for the visitors from northwest.

number 6, Alayna Schulte.

number 7, Maria Molina.

number 9 Drea Bagby.

number 12 Avery Lewis.

number 13 Aubrey Schultz.

number 15, Lila Kress.

number 16 Sierra Franklin, number 18, Natalee Watts, number 19 Heather Fincel, number 20 Leanna Watts, number 21, Kaylee Cords, 22 Mia TRE win, and 23, Meagan Sprigs.

your assistant coaches, Andy Briggs, Kaitlyn Williams and Emily Jamison.

here are your starters for the northwest WOLS, bayly control.

number 17, Reagan Bartholomew, batting third at third base, number 5, Kiana Carnes, cleanup hit, designated player, Zuri Patterson.

third in left field, Emily in right field, number 8, Ava Smith, number 4, Parker.

your flex player number one Skyler Lamb.

head coach for the wolves, Carrie Eby.

now let's meet the players and coaches for the home team, the Fort Dodge Dodgers.

here are your non-starters.

number one, el Dunn, number 6, McKenzie McIlrath, 16, Cadence Touney, number 17, Peterson, and number 19, Olivia Totten.

coaches here are your starters for the Fort Dodge Dodgers leading off doing the pitching, number 12, Jalen Adams, batting second at shortstop, number 9, Tory Bennett, batting third doing the catching, Mariah Myers, cleanup hitter at third base, number 2, Haley also, number 7, Lucy Porter, left field me Meah McCaleb, batting eighth in right field, number eight, Lydia Lara, batting in the ninth position, center fielder, number 14 Maggie Elsbecker.

your flex player at second base, number four, Ashlyn Wills.

head coach for the Dodgers, Andi Adams.

ladies and gentlemen, turn your attention to the area by home plate.

the umpiring crew for this contest as assigned by the Iowa girls high school athletic union, at first base, Roger men key, at third base, Stan Schmitt, and calling the balls and strikes today Mr. Joe HAEF Vennhill.

who is ready for state championship softball?

In 2020 Fort Dodge was the runner up she's headed to Iowa and she has that ability to do so much in this softball game.

>> Truly she's really diverse in what she can throw to the batters she even tried out a new pitch yesterday I think it's safe to say that now leading into this game, but she's willing to try out new things and she's going to be a star at the university of Iowa.

>> A senior, the daughter of head coach Andi Adams she was recently named the 2022 Gatorade Iowa softball player of the year you see her numbers, 23-3 on the year 150 innings pitched how about that .61 on the earned run average: She'll be facing a batting order that looks like this.

you have Kroll, Bartholomew and Carnes leading it off at the top.

Patterson, Klaiber, Parker and Utz man.

these two teams cruised through.

for Waukee Northwest a 4-0 win.

Fort Dodge 12-0 and 10-10. let's take a look at our keys to the game.

>> the first key execute and attack.

these are the two words this team has lived by all season.

the other one, come out swinging.

we know Andi Adams does not give up a lot of runs.

they need to come out and attack this first inning.

>> for Fort Dodge, their key starts with that energy.

>> starts with that energy.

coach Andi Adams, energy, energy, energy.

keep it going.

they haven't given up any runs yet.

>> Let's get ready for the 5A championship game opening pitch.

it's fouled away by Bailie Kroll on the opening pitch.

0 for 3 yesterday but scored two runs.

drew a walk.

one of those Pesky hitters.

>> one of those tough batters that seems to find a way on base.

>> Looking for the first one at the state tournament.

She BONT get it there.

Haley mills over to Porter for out number one.

>> Bailie Kroll sitting back on the changeup by Jalen Adams.

Ready for the quick transition to get the out at one.

>> Haley mills at third the senior.

She's our best defender.

As Bartholomew steps up, .438 on the average with nine home runs.

58 runs batted in.

These two teams know how to score some runs.

>> Jalen Adams going back-to-back rise balls against Bartholomew.

Once again working ahead.

0-2 count.

>> How about that?

First two batters get an 0-2.

Jalen Adams such a competitor.

The intensity as a competitor.

You know it started at home with coach Andi Adams.

It's the bat on the check swing by back and forth.

Tried to hold but the count will stay 0-2.

>> For these Waukee hitters right now, find the top of the ball, be able to line one to the green.

>> Bartholomew, the senior shortstop has signed to play softball at the university of Miami in Ohio.

Hits it right to Wills.

A great play made at third on the first two batters.

>> We talk about the energy, and that's not only on offense for Fort Dodge.

Look at the diving play by Wills.

If that's not something that gets you going as a pitcher, I don't know what will.

>> A solid play there at third.

There's a tough one right there.

A spinner over to second.

And safe at first is Kiana Carnes.

>> Jalen Adams going up and in on Carnes.

Carnes gets the weird spin on the ball.

That's a difficult play for Ashlyn Wills at second base.

>> They'll mark it as an E4 on Wills, the freshman at second.

That brings up Zuri Patterson who is just a freshman, a designated player, was on the eighth grade team just a year ago.

That's snagged by Adams, the throw at the knees for out three.

A runner aboard, a Fort Dodge error.

The dodger defense holds at the top of the first.

Let's take a look at the Waukee Northwest defenders.

>>> Let's take a look at the batting order for Fort Dodge.

You have Adams, Bennett, Myers and Wills to lead things off followed by Porter, Caleb, Browne and Elsbecker.

You see Carrie Eby in the dugout there for Waukee Northwest.

See what her defense can do against some Fort Dodge bats that have been so tough.

So Maddie Oetzmann, .74 earned run average.

She has done an excellent job here at state.

It seems like these Fort Dodge hitters are so locked in.

>> They are.

The pace of play on defense carries over into the dugout.

They attack early in the count.

They know exactly what pitch they're looking for.

Pitchers haven't gotten them to chase which has been huge this tournament.

>> One ball, one strike on Adams.

Adams hitting .495 on the year with 55 hits.

Oetzmann allowed zero runs over Lynn March, 4-0 victory and gave up two runs on just two hits to Muscatine, the three seed here at the state tournament.

That's fouled straight back, 2-2 is the count.

>> Oetzmann working the corners of the plate on Jalen Adams.

Really smart approach to take.

She's working outside and working up at the hands so far.

>> Just misses there.

>> Again, going for the outside corner, that one missing just a little bit low.

She's staying consistent, right between the chalk line and the edge of the plate.

>> Three balls, two strikes on Adams, the leadoff hitter for Fort Dodge.

And that is snagged.

What a play by Carnes at third.

>> Both teams coming out, strong defense at third base.

Look at this by Carnes.

That ball was coming out hot.

>> The third baseman, they know the challenge that they have every single game.

And at the hot corner, Wills for the Dodgers and Carnes for the wolves.

They are ready for this 5A title game.

Tory Bennett steps in, shows bunt, missing low.

Tory Bennett, just like teammate Jalen Adams, signed to play softball at the University of Iowa next year.

An interesting note on Bennett, she has not struck out all season.

>> What a stat line.

That's insane.

>> Sometimes it's the stat that isn't there.

Zero in the strikeouts column.

Talking to her yesterday after the SEMIFINAL win, there's a grounder right to Carnes and the third basemen are gobbling things up here in inning number one.

It was Bennett that talked about the team overall has had great plate discipline, and that has been a key to Fort Dodge winning the quarterfinal game 12-0 beating Waukee and winning the SEMIFINAL game over west Des Moines valley by a score of 10-0.

22 runs.

>> Both Jalen Adams and Tory Bennett -- great hit there by Mariah Myers.

Now is off of first and out.

The defense on their toes.

So a two-out single by Myers turns into a three-up, three-down inning on this defensive play here.

>> Mariah Myers, the freshman, outstanding hit to right.

Heads-up defense going in feet first, trying to hit the back corner of the base.

Typically a dive straight into the front.

That's a freshman with a strong bat.

Fort Dodge yesterday, fortunately their first inning ended on base running mistakes.

>> Yep.

They absolutely had a couple of mistakes base running.

Let's take a look at this tournament bracket.

Here is how it broke down.

Fort Dodge beating Waukee and then Muscatine facing Waukee Northwest yesterday.

Waukee Northwest a winner over Lynn March in the quarter rounds.

You see the field, Waukee Northwest, the last two teams standing here, one seed and the three seed.

For Waukee Northwest, their first year as a school.

It's their first state tournament appearance.

Obviously a brand new high school.

Waukee high school, you saw them in the field as well.

They made their fourth straight state tournament this year and their 13th in school history.

They were third back in 2021 when Fort Dodge won their championship game.

A year ago, both teams won on the last night of 5A softball, and now facing each other in that championship game, only one will come away the Victor and the state champions.

Great defensive plays, pitchers getting ahead in their counts and Emily Klaiber leads off.

>> Both these pitchers play with such pace.

They control the game for their defense, they keep their defense energized these hitters have been falling right into the trap so far.

>> Adams continuing to go back to her rise ball, definitely her dominant pitch.

Waukee so far hasn't been able to square it up.

>> Hits the stripes on that outside corner.

2 balls, 2 strikes the counted on Klaiber.

Klaiber the senior left fielder.

1 for 3 yesterday with two runs scored in that 7-2 win over Muscatine.

1 for 1 in the quarterfinal rounds.

Had a sacrifice bunt for head coach Carrie Eby.

That was grounded foul, in the camera box.

>> Talk about the hitters' timing, to be able to pull the ball on Adams, going right towards head coach Carrie Eby on that.

>> That one is just foul, inches from being fair.

3 balls, 2 strikes.

We do it again.

Eighth pitch of the at-bat coming.

Coach Andi Adams talking about Jalen Adams saying she might not overpower you, but she's done a good job learning how to mix up her pitches and finding different spots to work on batters.

>> That's really where you're going to find success, especially collegiately as a pitcher, it's not always about speed.

For so long in the game of softball it was about speed.

That's not the case anymore.

Being able to hit corners, being able to spin the ball.

>> How about Klaiber battling.

Tenth pitch of the at-bat coming up now.

Continuing to foul away those outside pitches that are right on the zone which Andi Adams, her 22nd year at Fort Dodge.

Changeup, gets Klaiber to popup.

Adams takes it herself for out number one.

>> Jalen Adams going on nearly a ten-pitch at-bat before mixing up speeds.

Klaiber reaching out getting her bat on the ball.

When you're changing speeds that much, it's tough to get anything with power.

Great job to Jalen Adams on winning that battle.

>> So now Boyd comes to the plate, the senior catcher.

Boyd was a starter on the 2021 state qualifying Waukee warriors team.

Has had an excellent state tournament thus far.

Here is a slow roller.

Grabbed by Adams.

What a great play.

Able to make the throw in time.

How about players fielding their positions tonight, Ali?

>> I don't know how many times I've ever seen a pitcher dive off the mound to make a play like that.

Typically you're going to see a pitcher let that go to her second baseman, but not Jalen Adams.

>> A state title on the line.

You have a feeling you're getting max effort from everybody out there on the field tonight?

>> 100%.

The thing I love most about that play, she dove off the mound.

I looked in the Fort Dodge dugout and her mom was laughing at her.

So, you've got to love that.

>> She loves the effort.

Ava Smith the batter.

>> Drops that changeup in for a strike.

>> Another 0-2 count on a Wolves batter.

Smith rips one to right.

That is over the head of Lara.

Extra bases for Smith.

A two-out double here in the second inning.

>> Ava Smith, we'll see that again here.

She takes that ball deep into right field and out there you have Lara who is playing a pretty shallow outfield position had to go way back on it and really didn't have a chance to get it.

Great hit for the Wolves and now a runner in scoring position.

>> Adams allowed zero hits in the quarterfinals, just three hits yesterday in the semifinal win over West Des Moines Valley.

Second inning double by Smith.

Just the fourth hit allowed this week by Jalen Adams.

Parker at the plate, was 1 for 4 yesterday.

Had a double in the quarterfinals.

Catching the corner, Jalen Adams.

For a pitcher it's so important to be able to hit your spots.

If you can work in some pitches and hit your spots, you can be very, very effective.

Bennett underneath it for the easy catch and the third out in the second.

Double by Smith, but no runs.

Let's listen in to Andi Adams.

>> We're hitting her.

>> We are.

Find the edge where it goes the other way, okay?

We're doing it.

We're doing it.

>> Let's take a look at the Waukee pitcher, Maddie Oetzmann just a junior, in super slow motion.

>> Maddie Oetzmann tends to work more in and out on batters.

She's been extremely successful at it.

She's hitting her spots, her form nearly perfect.

The junior has a bright future in front of her.

They finished third, it was her first year of varsity and has had an excellent tournament.

Zero runs on four hits.

A win over Linn-Mar, allowed just two runs on two hits, four strikeouts yesterday against Muscatine.

Head coach Carrie Eby in her 12th year as head coach.

First with Waukee Northwest.

Previous 11 with Waukee High School.

Has a lot of trust and confidence in 00.

>> It was fun talking with Maddie yesterday after the semifinal game, talking about her relationship with coach Eby, the players' relationship with Coach Eby, how she felt they've connected a ton player to coach.

They play loose.

They have fun.

It means a lot to the players.

It means a lot to the coach.

>> Ali, we have two female head coaches.

That's important to point out because the leadership that they can provide and just their ability to communicate with some of these girls, both former players themselves, really having a huge impact on these kids, aren't they?

>> Both of them great mentors for all the players in their program.

Coach Andi Adams talked about how she's coached a lot of these girls since they were 10 years old.

Getting her to chase, great pitch on the outside corner.

Andi Adams coached these girls from 10U on up.

Coach Carrie Eby has been with these players their entire high school career.

The connections that can be built, they're so meaningful in both ways.

>> Wills fights off that 2-2 pitch.

It's dropped but it is a foul ball.

Skyler Lamb came coming in.

Remember, it's where the ball is when it is touched if it is fair or foul.

It comes right out of her glove and lands -- it's not necessarily where it lands, but it's where the ball is.

Home plate umpire says that was foul territory the instant it touched Lamb's glove.

2-2 the count.

Back to your Andi Adams, coaching since 10U.

She joked around.

She said my husband Dan coached the kids in 8U.

They wouldn't let me me coach them when they were in 8U because they were afraid I'd make them cry.

Bailie Kroll makes the catch for the out.

>> Hats off to both these pitchers so far.

Oetzmann controlling that at-bat all the way through.

Kroll was in there fouling balls off, just unfazed by it was Oetzmann in the circle.

>> Haley Wills lines out Lucy Porter, a freshman first baseman, leads the team with 44 runs batted in.

Had one in the semifinals.

Hitting .354, has 40 hits on the year.

>> There's the 0-1.

Rips one to left field.

Klaiber makes the catch in front of the fence.

>> Klaiber there, able to just get underneath that.

What a hit by Porter.

Look at that extension all the way through the ball.

She sees it going.

She almost had it.

Coach Andi Adams talked between innings about we're one inch away, we're one inch away.

That ball was about .8 inch away from going over the fence.

>> The dimensions on Kruger field here at Harlan Rogers sports complex is 200 feet down the right and left field lines as well as straightaway center.

It's probably a home run.

190 down left field.

Meah McCaleb at the plate.

Freshman left fielder that coach Adams says plays like an upper class man.

>> Oetzmann on that pitch getting a little jump on that ball, a little rise ball to go right at her hands.

McCaleb there just able to get a bat to foul it off.

>> Here is the 0-2.

Fouled away.

>> 14 earned runs allowed all season.

Over 130.

Add one more.

Gets her first strikeout of the game here in the second scoreless as we head -- >> Oetzmann working a high-rise ball.

First strikeout of the game for either team.

>> We are through two complete, the top of the third is coming up.

Both teams with a hit if your first couple of innings.

We're able to look at Maddie Oetzmann in Slow Mo, how about Jalen Adams.

>> She just drives off that mound getting the spin.

You notice on that pitch, that was the rise ball.

All about the RPMs, how many times can we get the PIPPer to spin that ball to make it jump, make it drop, make it curve, whatever they're trying to do.

Jalen Adams can do it perfectly.

>> Spin rate has her headed to the University of Iowa.

Going to have an opportunity to battle for innings to pitch and the way she can swing the bat, too, she might be able to work into the lineup.

>> College coaches love a player that can hit.

A lot of them this week, Jalen's bat is nearly as impressive as what she can do in the circle.

>> The pitching battle, a hit out to right field, Lara able to make the running catch.

Oetzmann flies out for out number one.

Got Adams to line out in Adams' first at-bat.

Oetzmann retired to lead off the third inning.

To the top of the order we go.

Bailie Kroll, grounded out in her first at-bat will face Adams for the second time.

Slides that changeup in there so nicely.

.484, 22 runs batted in for Kroll.

Fouls that away.

Her first at-bat was behind 0-2, the same here in the third.

>> Adams here just effectively mixing speeds on Kroll.

The fifth batter that Adams was able to get an 0-2 count on.

Off the plate.

A good miss by Adams.

>> That's exactly where you want to see that pitch 0-2, just off the plate, trying to get Kroll to change.

These Waukee hitters haven't been chasing.

Once again, off the plate outside.

>> Bailie Kroll showing a good eye here, senior second baseman.

Her future plans, she'll attend the University of Iowa, focusing on academics.

Kroll able to chop it, foul, out of play.

>> So much love here given to the University of Iowa I feel.

Got to give some love to the other in-state schools, too.

>> We've got some kids on Waukee Northwest that will attend Purdue, U and I, Iowa.

Shortstop, Tory Bennett slings it over.

>> Kroll waiting, making sure she doesn't step out of the box.

Tory Bennett staying down on the ball, getting a nice hop, able to throw her out at first.

Adams going first pitch rise against Bartholomew.

>> Reagan Bartholomew senior shortstop.

Will be playing at University of Miami Ohio.

>> Jalen Adams is staying to the front of the box.

If she's going to hit it.

She's going to hit it before it rises instead of taking a pitch too late.

>> Tried to drop a changeup on that bottom portion of the strike zone.

Ali, you were a first team all big 12 hitter.

Your approach to facing a pitcher with a good rise ball was what?

>> It's interesting.

It really depends on when their ball rises.

If you're seeing a ball jump early, I'm going to take the back of the box to know for sure I'm not going to swing at it.

If it's jumping late and staying lower like Adams' pitches are, I like Bartholomew's approach.

>> Ripped foul.

>> Staying in front of the box.

If she can get her hands up a little bit, that ball has a possibility of going a long way.

>> Bartholomew had a laser of a line drive for an out in her first at-bat.

A great play made at third by Wills.

Takes that changeup, pops it up.

Might be enough room there.

McCaleb is underneath it and able to hold on for the out.

So three up and three down as Adams gets Waukee Northwest to pop out.

They're hitting Adams, as we have Waukee Northwest head KOESH Carrie Eby.

Carrie, let's talk offensively here.

Your gals putting the ball in play and Smith with a big double in that second inning.

>> Yeah.

We're seeing the ball pretty well.

We had a pretty aggressive approach.

Hopefully we keep that up.

>> Defensively what do you want to see from your gals as they continue to face these Fort Dodge hitters?

>> We want to continue to be aggressive, hopefully Maddie keeps it down a little bit and gives us a chance on defense.

>> Fun championship vibe out there?

>> Absolutely, the energy is great.

>> Waukee Northwest head coach Carrie Eby, a 2022 Iowa girls high school athletic union hall of fame inductee, part of the inductee class this year.

Fantastic player, phenomenal coach.

I know you played against teams that she coached.

As a player, a five-year starter for the Waukee Warriors, part of two state championships, played at the university of St. Thomas, played professionally one season for the New England Rip Tide, coachingwise, 12 years in the Waukee community.

>> Outstanding resume for Coach Eby.

Her two words, execute and attack, that describes it perfectly.

Her teams don't make mistakes, just a phenomenal coach.

She truly is.

>> Feel like you have two coaches that are just that intense.

Let's do everything we can to win.

This is slapped down the right field line by Macy Brown and lands foul.

Macy Brown, a sophomore, designated player.

Was 2 for 2 in the quarterfinal win over West Des Moines Valley.

>> Check swing right back to Oetzmann.

We'll field it.

Make the strong throw over to first, able to squeeze it.

One away.

>> Coach Carrie Eby talked about Oetzmann needing to keep the ball down.

You'll see here she does just that.

She mixes in an off-speed pitch here, gets a dribbler right back to her and handles it herself.

>> Such composure in the circle, Maddie Oetzmann, the junior.

We think she'll get some attention from a number of college coaches over the next six months or year.

First pitch strike, Lydia Lara, three walks and a run scored yesterday.

A double in the quarterfinal round win over Waukee.

>> Oetzmann there on strike one getting the call right on the edge.

So just taking it one ball further outside.

>> Changeup by Oetzmann was filthy.

>> Absolutely filthy pitch by Oetzmann.

As a pitcher, you cannot help but smile.

The bottom fell right out from underneath it.

>> Here is the 1-2 from OELTS man.

Fouled straight back.

>> Lydia Lara hitting .250 on the season, 24 hits.

Scored 20 runs for the Dodgers this season.

>> There's the changeup once again.

Lara chases it for the second time that at-bat.

Strategic time to go back to it.

>> The second strikeout of the game for Maddie Oetzmann.

There's two away here.

Oetzmann allowed a hit in the first, but the defense able to pick minors off first base.

Two away here in the third.

The number nine hitter, Maggie Elsbecker, steps in to face Oetzmann for the first time.

>> Elsbecker was one of the hitters that coach Andi Adams talked about yesterday and just the fire, she's starting in the nine hole for this Fort Dodge lineup.

>> Swings through strike one.

1-1 the count.

Coach Adams says we sat her down and told her she was not going to hit for us, she was not going to be in the lineup, and she worked and worked and worked.

She said she earned herself a shot and now she is a solid number nine hitter for us.

>> Ball.

Some coaches use that nine spotted, you want some speed, a kid that will get on base.

>> We give so much love to lead-off hitters, typically in softball, your highest average is in the lead-off spot.

Your number nine is turning into what we used to think of as a leadoff.

>> Elsbecker hitting .329 on the year.

23 hits, has scored 19 runs.

Fits right into that Fort Dodge power lineup.

There's the 2-2.

Oetzmann continues to attack.

Third strikeout of the game.

Gets Elsbecker down on strikes.

We are scoreless through three.

0-0 here in the 5A title game.

This has been a game that I know these two players -- these two teams -- players, they circled this game at the start of the season.

They wanted to get into that championship game, joined with Andi Adams now.

Coach, the first three innings here, what are you seeing first from your offense here?

>> Just us trying to hit a great pitcher, them trying to hit a great pitcher.

Two teams battling it out, the one and the two in my opinion.

We're just doing everything we can.

She's mixing up her speeds a lot.

We have to focus on our pitch and keep doing what we do.

I felt we hit it hard in the A couple inches here and there.

That's all this game is.

We're ready for that.

We're going to keep doing it.

>> Coach, we've seen great plays at third base.

Haley mills was ready to go, helping the defense settle in.

>> That's what your seniors do, they have to step it up, make big plays like that.

We're going to keep going at it.

Dogfight here in dodge.

>> It's fun, coach.

Thanks for your time.

>> You bet.

>> Andi Adams, 24th year as a head coach at the high school ranks.

22nd year here with the Fort Dodge Dodgers.

Played at Webster City, first-team all American at Buena Vista.

Really got this Fort Dodge Dodgers program in a spot that she loves.

What a great play.

What a move, Ashlyn Wills, the freshman.

>> Ashlyn Wills with the play.

You don't see that play made often at the collegiate level.

She takes the drop step back.

She goes 100% for this ball, says no mercy.

I'm going to get it.

Gets there, gets the ball.

>> Stellar play.

Some of those, too, that have some spin.

That was kind of that slow floater.

Almost curved back behind Wills as she was headed up to that deep hole.

So Zuri Patterson steps in.

Back to Adams, back in the first inning.

Changeup misses low and a big smile from Adams there.

>> Adams lost her footing on that pitch.

The umpire is going to check and make sure she's okay.

I think it was a little slip off the mound.

>> Throw almost 100 pitches a game on average.

You're going to have the occasional slip off of the mound or slip out of the hand.

>> It happens.

>> You see it at every level.

Luckily pitchers are able to laugh it off.

So much of it is how you can come back after that.

>> Zuri Patterson takes a 3-0 pitch up the middle and a one-out single for Patterson.

And the Wolves with a base runner here to try to get something cooking in the fourth.

>> The confidence from coach Carrie Eby to give her freshman hitter, 3-0 green light.

Zuri Patterson takes that ball right up the middle.

>> Zuri Patterson was a delight to talk to yesterday.

Her and her family moved to Waukee in 2016 from Atlanta, Georgia.

And she is the kindest person.

You can just tell in her voice.

Such an eloquent speaker.

I tell you what, I was floored at how she was able to communicate, just a freshman.

And here is a deep hit out to left field.

Back to make the catch is McCaleb.

Patterson tagging, gets to second base.

How about the base running by Patterson.

>> Zuri Patterson, smart base running, seeing that McCaleb has to go very deep into left field for that ball.

Able to get back to first base.

Tags and advances on the play.

>> Patterson says softball is everything for me.

I've been playing since I was 4 years old.

She stands on second base here with two outs in the fourth.

Haley Boyd steps in.

The senior catcher rips one down the left field line.

That's foul.

>> Execute and attack.

We have two outs now for Waukee Northwest.

They've done the attack part pretty well now.

Let's see if they can execute.

>> Boyd 2 for 4 yesterday in the semis with a run batted in against Muscatine.

Will attend the University of Northern Iowa.

From the knees, Haley Wills playing a solid third base for Fort Dodge.

Second hit for Waukee Northwest.

>> She's been outside.

Crowd the plate.

If she goes in, you can yank that stuff if we need to.

Mix it up.

If you see the first baseman going for two, lay the ball down.

We're hitting her hard.

Let's score.

>> Coach Andi Adams trying to get the offense sparked.

They talk a lot about the energy and this crowd and just the kind of support that they have had here in Fort Dodge has been absolutely fantastic.

They've got a youth program they feel is building some momentum.

You see a lot of the black shirts here in Fort Dodge.

They have really taken to this dodger softball program.

>> This town loves Fort Dodge softball.

It's amazing to see.

You talk about a youth program that's just building with the Fort Dodge pride program, the freedom fast pitch program out of Fort Dodge.

A lot of talented young kids coming up that coach Andi Adams is just so excited to coach.

>> Her daughter will lead things off in the fourth inning, Jalen Adams, the senior.

The 2022 Gatorade Iowa softball player of the year.

Will continue her softball career at Iowa.

Also a biology major, thinking physical therapy.

She says she's really grown physically the last couple years.

Pops this one up left side.

In to make the catch from left field, Emily Klaiber.

She said a dedication to the weight room really helped her physically, not just hit it farther, but she said pitchingwise, too, has helped her at times.

>> One entering thing she talked about, the pressure that was lifted after committing and being able to take the time and focus on herself in the weight room, developing new pitches it's shown this year.

>> Oetzmann scratches that outside corner.

Tory Bennett, another senior also going to Iowa.

She's excited about joining her teammates, not just Jalen Adams but 2021 teammate Tristin Doster who was part of that championship team a season ago.

Bennett a biology major as well.

She's thinking premed.

She's thinking she wants to do something with that neonatal unit, very dialed in on her academics as well.

Slaps it into right field.

That's a base hit for Tory Bennett.

>> Tory Bennett a solid piece of hitting, down in the count, nowing she needs to protect the plate and not trying to do too much with the pitch.

That's the key when you're down in the count, get your bat on the ball, find a way, find a gap.

That's exactly what she did there.

You mentioned the conversation we had with her yesterday, so excited about where her academic career will take her.

She's really excited about that future.

>> She's got some medical field examples in her family.

Her sister Maddie who played softball at Simpson, qualified for the state tournament twice herself, went to DMU.

Just recently took the boards.

Such a great example and leader for her, someone to look up to.

Mariah Myers steps in for Fort Dodge.

This is out to right field.

That is caught by Ava Smith for out number two.

Two away now.

Haley Wills, the cleanup hitter who hit a line drive to Kroll at second base.

You see Ava Smith the junior, all juniors and seniors defensively for Waukee Northwest.

That misses low on the first pitch.

Maddie Oetzmann in the circle.

23-2 on the year.

Just her second hit of the game here in the fourth inning.

Wills shows bunt, likes at strike one.

>> Wills here just mixing up her approach at the plate.

The Waukee corners, you have Carnes over at third base.

Hasn't been fooled by what she's showing.

>> Here is the 1-1.

Wills looks at strike two.

>> I love when batters are smiling after they look at a strike.

The count is 1-2 now?

I got this.

It just takes one, right?

That's got to be the approach when you're at the plate.

>> 100%.

Great job fighting that off.

Out there you have Bennett knowing she's running on a swing.

Two outs, runner at first base.

As soon as you see your hitter's hands move, you're taking off.

>> Tory Bennett at first, Haley Wills at the plate for Fort Dodge.

Maddie Oetzmann in the circle.

Here is the 1-2.

Fly ball right field, Ava Smith in, now retreats and fades towards the right field line to make the catch for out number three.

So one-out single by Bennett.

No harm done.

Scoreless through four as we head to the fifth.

Coming up after this class 5A championship game, we have the 4A game.

Iowa PBS will be adjusting our coverage of our softball championships in order to broadcast PBS's live coverage of the January 6th hearings.

We'll stay with the 5A until the conclusion.

Once the 5A trophy is presented, we'll join the hearing in progress.

We'll move our live broadcast to Iowa PBS world.3.

The game scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Fans can watch the full game on Iowa.Pbs -- we'll be rebroadcasting the 4A championship game on our primary channel tomorrow beginning at noon.

IowaPBS.org.

If you know somebody getting ready to lock in to tonight's 4A coverage, another one seed versus three seed match-up, let them know right now so they are prepared.

Flip the book, top of the fifth.

It is seven, eight, nine, coming to the plate for Waukee Northwest.

No swing on the check by Ava Smith.

Nice plays out in right field this last half inning for the Wolves.

>> Something to put out here, freshman Mariah Myers behind the plate is not typically a catcher.

We'll talk about that in a second.

>> Hard hit ground ball.

That's hit three for Waukee Northwest as Smith, from her seven spot in the lineup gets aboard.

A lead-off single here in the fifth.

>> Smith, two hits off Jalen Adams so far.

We talked a little about Mariah Myers before that last pitch there.

The freshman played first base for Fort Dodge last year.

Transitioned to catcher.

She's just a freshman.

Outstanding numbers at the plate.

>> That bunt attempt is popped up and lands foul.

>> She may not be done changing positions?

>> No, it sounds like next year she might change positions again.

Who knows?

She might be behind the plate.

What a task to be given to a freshman.

Hey, you're going to come in, catch the best pitcher in the state on the top 5A team, and she's done it nearly perfect.

>> You're an infielder?

No problem.

We'll slide you to catcher.

This is popped up.

Adams makes the catch.

The throw the first not in time.

Smith, heads-up base running able to get back as Adams played that perfectly.

>> Jalen Adams here, a great pitch on the bunt coverage, gets the jump off the mound, running throw to first base almost got her.

Heads-up base running by Ava Smith.

>> So one out now, Smith at first and Oetzmann to the plate.

Opportunity to help her own cause here in the fifth inning changeup misses low.

Myers, by the way, doing a fantastic job behind the plate, isn't she?

>> She really is.

>> That's another base hit into left field.

So two singles for Waukee Northwest here in the fifth inning.

Runner in scoring position for the third time in the last four innings.

>> Maddie Oetzmann here ran forward as she is the pitcher, but continuing to help her own cause at the plate Oetzmann lined to right field her first at bat.

This one to left.

>> Alayna Schulte.

Great scoop and stop by Myers behind the dish on the first pitch to Bailie Kroll, leadoff batter.

Top of the order with two on and one out.

Adams misses outside.

Waukee Northwest yesterday, seven runs on 12 hits in the semifinals.

That's fouled away by Kroll.

Kroll 0 for 2 here tonight.

Two ground-outs.

>> Kroll for Waukee Northwest a triple threat at the plate.

She's got the speed.

She plays with grit.

As you mentioned earlier, kind of Pesky at the plate.

If they can get her on base, a big rally for Waukee Northwest.

>> That's up high and is fouled away.

>> Thinking aggressively here, the Wolves CIML Iowa conference champions.

Fort Dodge second place in the same conference, a 20-4 record.

>> Right now both Adams and Kroll thinking win this pitch.

One pitch at a time.

>> Adams delivers the 2-2.

Slapped left side of the field and foul and out of play.

We will see it again.

These two teams have plenty of familiarity with each other.

Played four times already this season.

Both teams winning twice.

More on that in a moment.

Here is the 2-2.

Again, chopped foul by Kroll.

>> It makes a difference when you show up to a game with a full scouting report on the opposing team.

You can tell both teams, with the hitter's approaching the bat, with how the pitchers are throwing to these hitters.

They're extremely familiar with each other.

>> This is the eighth pitch of the at-bat.

A slow roller to Adams who thought about third base, but the speed of Smith gave Adams a zero option.

So bases are loaded now for Waukee Northwest.

>> Bailie Kroll here could not have done that more perfect.

A soft slap.

Tough play for Adams to make.

>> That will go down as a fielder's choice.

>> A meeting in the circle for Fort Dodge.

>> You see the goose in the dugout.

>> I was asking the players yesterday.

They said Taryn Petty has a goose, she holds a goose in the Dougout.

That is our good luck charm.

I said, okay.

They really do.

They have a goose.

>> The goose has things cooking here.

Bases loaded with one out for the Wolves.

Ali, when you've got a brand new high school, you've got a lot of new things.

You got a new school, new colors, a new mascot.

You can have a new goose if you want.

You can have a new good luck charm.

Head coach Carrie Eby says on day one all of these kids bought in 100%.

>> Jalen Adams, they're firing it in there on Reagan Bartholomew.

>> Bartholomew 0 for 2, leads 5A softball players in runs batted in.

Looking to at the biggest of the 2022 season in this fifth inning at-bat against the top pitcher in all of 5A softball.

Coach Eby says Reagan has a desire to be great.

53 RBIs.

60 hits.

This one is popped up and is going to find the seats.

It will land out of play.

We'll do it again.

1-2 the count.

>> You ask either coach right now, and they're going to tell you this is the player they want leading them in this situation.

You have Jalen Adams in the circle, Reagan Bartholomew at the plate.

>> Here is the 1-2.

Climate changeup is caught at short by Bennett.

Adams wins the battle as Bartholomew lines out and there's two away.

>> Great defensive play by by Tory Bennett.

Wasn't quite sure if that ball was going to drop or not.

Tory Bennett keeping composure, getting the second out.

>> Schulte the courtesy runner at second.

Smith at second, Kroll at first.

Kiana Carnes, the first baseman, reached in the first inning on an error comes to the plate.

Bases loaded, two out.

>> Kiana Carnes a .377 hitter on the year.

>> Chops that one foul.

How about Adams.

Once again, no balls, two strikes is the count.

>> She continues to work ahead.

This is a high pressure situation.

Bases loaded.

Only one out.

She comes out, she's going to throw her stuff.

Once again, ahead in the count.

>> A rumble from the stands here in Fort Dodge.

>> Carnes a triple yesterday against Muscatine has had a hit in each game at the state tournament.

Gets her first one of the championship game.

It's going to drive in two runs.

The Wolves are up 2-0 in the fifth.

A huge two RBI single for Carnes with two away.

>> Kiana Carnes taking that 0-2 count.

The pitch was too close on the plate by Jalen Adams.

She takes it opposite field.

You'll see it here, Adams going up, Carnes driving that thing into right center field.

>> So Smith scores from third.

Schulte scores from second, which means Kroll now is at third.

Zuri Patterson fouls the first pitch off.

Carnes is at first base for Waukee Northwest.

A 2-0 lead here in the fifth.

>> Coach Carrie Eby getting after Zuri Patterson after that swing saying I need you to extend through a ball right here.

>> How about Adams attacking hitters, even after giving up a two-run single.

>> Jalen Adams knows this game isn't over.

She knows her offense is going to put up runs.

Keep the composure, keep doing what she's doing.

>> Patterson looks at one up high.

Zuri Patterson, 23 RBIs on the season.

That is fouled.

Almost came up with one more in the final game of the 2022 high school season.

Zuri Patterson said she feels like she's made a big jump in the last two years, getting stronger, learning how to utilize the weight room.

Quick hands, swings through.

Strike three.

Adams able to get out of what could have been worse.

Waukee Northwest, two runs on a two-out single by Kiana Carnes we'll be back with more 5A championship softball after this.

>>> Two runs for Waukee Northwest in the top of the fifth.

Fort Dodge will have an opportunity to respond.

The first runs Fort Dodge has given up in this entire state tournament.

The large large class team to not give up a single run at the tournament, Ankeny back in 2012, 13-0, 4-0 and 2-0 were their scores.

Fort Dodge this week had won 12-0 and then 10-0.

Given up their first runs, Kiana Carnes at third for Waukee Northwest, she delivered offensively at the plate to drive two runs in and give the Wolves the lead.

>> A huge hit by the Wolves.

Big shoutout to my friend Sheyla throwing the shutout in three games.

It was my senior year.

>> I was going to say that's your senior year.

>> Yep, ten years ago.

>> Did you have a fantastic play to keep any runs from scoring?

That took a bad hop over the glove of Bartholomew.

And Lucy Porter is aboard.

>> Bartholomew, they're sitting waiting on the backhand.

That ball just takes a hop right over her glove.

Fort Dodge with their first leadoff runner on.

>> That will go down as a hit for Porter.

A single.

2012 was a while ago.

Do you remember any jams.

>> Demain east in the championship had a solid hit to right field.

The relay into home plate, throwing out the runner.

So it was the last inning of the last game they almost got one.

>> Memories that just get burned into your brain, the state tournament, nothing like it here.

Iowa high school athletic union makes it an experience like none other.

Meah McCaleb pulls it back.

Looks at a strike.

1-1 the count.

Maddie Oetzmann in the circle.

Now she has a 2-0 lead, has not allowed a run yet.

Three hits by Fort Dodge.

Her approach, Ali, does it have to stay the same as what she's shown those first four innings.

>> I tell you what, she's done everything right so far.

At this point, her defense is working for her.

While Fort Dodge has hit some balls hard, I don't see any need to change up her approach at this point.

She's doing everything effectively.

She's hitting the corner.

She continues to work more outside than inside.

As coach Carrie Eby said, when she keeps it down, Fort Dodge hasn't been able to lift anything on her.

>> 1-2 to McCaleb.

That is in shallow center.

A running catch made by Parker.

The throw to first is in time to get Porter at first.

The 8-3 double play.

Catch 'em out, throw 'em out.

>> Porter getting a little too big of a jump at first base.

McCaleb here, a good piece of hitting.

You have Ella Parker in center field with a Cannon over to first base.

Great play over there by Skyler Lamb, getting a stretch out towards the outfield.

>> So a leadoff single wiped out.

The second base running error by Fort Dodge in this game as we had one back in the first inning.

Myers rounded first too far, got thrown out.

Macy brown steps in with two away here.

Groundout to Adams -- excuse me -- to Oetzmann in the circl back in the third inning.

>> LOUN, a sophomore, was 2 for 2 against Waukee in the quart finals, 0 for 3 in the semifinals against West Des Moines Valley.

Maddie Oetzmann allowed two runs in her quarterfinal outing.

Two in the semis.

There's the 2-1.

>> 2-2.

A little excited on that one.

>> That's a ball on the batter.

Three balls, two strikes.

>> The umpire is calling a ball on the batter -- it's essentially a delay of game call on the catcher for throwing it down to first base.

With no runners on, obviously not a pickoff play.

That mistake causes a ball on Oetzmann.

>> Oetzmann has to deliver here.

3-2.

This is slapped into right feed.

Good speed by Ava Smith.

She's made some excellent catches out in right.

Three batters faced in the bottom of the fifth.

Let's listen in to the Wolves.

>> Listen, it is not over yet.

You continue to putting pressure on, be aggressive.

See that ball and drive.

Come on.

Let's go.

>> Let's take a look at some game highlights here as we get ready to tee off the sixth inning.

>> Jalen Adams and Maddie Oetzmann working hard in the circle, not just throwing the ball, diving plays by Jalen Adams, mixing up speed.

The girl continues to work regardless of what's going on.

Oetzmann on the other side really only had to work with one base runner on.

Her defense working, working, working.

Oetzmann been the star so far.

>> Oetzmann with three strikeouts in the game.

The offense got going in the fifth.

>> Big play so far.

Carnes with the RBI single bringing in two runs.

That's where we stand.

2-0.

>> Carnes driving in the only two runs of the game part of a two-run, three-hit fifth inning in which Waukee Northwest left two runners on base.

And through five innings, here is your pitch count totals for both pitchers.

Adams who is in the circle has thrown 80 pitches, 60 of them strikes.

Oetzmann has thrown 60 pitches, 42 of those strikes.

You see both pitchers getting up early on their batters.

That's been key for them to be able to stay in the driver's seat.

This is Klaiber ripping one out to right field and twisting catch made by Lydia Lara.

>> These Waukee Northwest bats continuing to barrel up the ball off Jalen Adams.

That's a tough play out there by Lara.

>> So Haley Boyd, the catcher, steps in with two ground-outs.

And now a lineout to Boyd.

Two away.

how about Haley Wills, the third baseman for Fort Dodge here.

>> Playing the hot corner today.

>> The first twoouts in the first inning, a groundout and a line drive catch.

>> Adams there mixing in some new pitches.

>> She threw a new one in the semifinals.

You're in the championship game now.

>> Used to that ball moving up.

That was a drop ball by Jalen Adams.

>> That was the pitch she said she threw for the first time all season in the semis.

A nice play at second by Ashlyn Wills gets the out.

Let's listen in now to Andi Adams in the Fort Dodge huddle.

>> Two deep breaths.

>> One more.

>> Lots of people here.

Feel the love.

Do what you guys do.

Two runs ain't nothing for us.

We'll get it back.

Come on here.

Be patient now.

Come here.

Where is Maddie.

In through the nose, out through the mouth.

>> You got to make sure everybody does the breathing exercises, right?

>> I love the message there by Coach Andi Adams.

Two runs ain't nothing, feel the love.

Staying loose.

The cotton-eyed Joe.

In the Fort Dodge invitational they made good friends with pleasant valley.

This was a dance that pleasant valley did.

They did it with pleasant valley and they gave their graces and said you guys can do it, too.

It's been their thing ever since.

Really need to see the teams working to together.

Keeping it lose is what it's all about.

>> You've got a goose on one side, you can keep it loose on the other, right?

Waukee Northwest has the goose.

Fort Dodge trying to keep it loose.

Down 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Eight, nine and one come to the plate.

Ready to face Maddie Oetzmann is Lydia Lara, right fielder for Fort Dodge, made a fantastic catch in the top of the sixth.

You see Coach Carrie Eby has a 2-0 lead.

You know she's saying the same things.

This is not over.

You heard that from her ahead of that last half inning.

>> For Fort Dodge right now, this is exactly where you want to be in their order.

You have your eight, nine, one.

We talked about Wills on deck here really acting as a second leadoff for this team.

You have Adams in the hole.

Really important for else Becker to get on base for Adams to come up.

>> Just misses off the plate.

That's a really good take by Lara.

Oetzmann with three strikeouts.

Lara down in strikes in her first at-bat.

Here is the 1-2.

Chops it foul to stay alive.

One ball, two strikes.

There's the pitch.

Strikeout number four for Oetzmann.

>> Oetzmann just dealing right now for Waukee Northwest.

She's playing with the lead.

She's hitting her spots.

Nothing says confidence like that scream she just let out on strike three.

>> 0.74 earned run average.

Two regional games for Waukee Northwest.

Shutouts, 10-0 win over Des Moines Roosevelt.

14-0 council bluffs, Thomas Jefferson.

The games against Fort Dodge, their first game of the season was a 2-0 win back on January 2nd.

They played a doubleheader.

Fort Dodge came back and won 8-5.

They met again the end of June.

Fort Dodge won the first one by a score of 2-1.

And then Waukee Northwest winning game two by a score of 3-2.

They have all been close.

Three of the four have been very low scoring.

We are seeing more of the same here in the championship game.

>> Strike two on Elsbecker.

>> Elsbecker needs to find a way to get on top of the ball.

Oetzmann continuing to spin it, spin it, spin it.

>> There's the 2-2 to Elsbecker.

>> Great pitch.

>> Nice catch by Skyler Lamb, a first.

That's a tough play right there.

>> Skyler Lamb getting a great jump on that ball.

As soon as Oetzmann released the pitch, that pitch was going up and in on Elsbecker's hands.

In order to hit that pitch, you're going to have to get your foot down extremely early and try to pull it, maybe hit it foul.

Oetzmann winning the battle right now.

>> The top of the order comes to the plate.

Jalen Adams looks at a first pitch strike Adams 0 for 2 in the game.

Laser line drive to Carnes at third and then popped out to left.

Oetzmann in attack mode from the circle.

>> She's just working that corner, the outside corner one pitch after another.

She knows exactly the spot she's going for.

>> Here's the 0-2 pitch.

Adams hits it to center field.

A two-out single here in the sixth.

So here in the bottom of the sixth, Fort Dodge -- >> Jalen Adams there -- Waukee Northwest outfield was playing her shifted a little bit towards left field.

She takes that ball and pulls it into right center.

No chance at getting that.

Drops in for a single for Adams.

>> So a courtesy runner for Jalen Adams, number 17, Reese Pederson.

Waukee Northwest leading Fort Dodge 2-0.

A two-out single by Adams brings the tieing run to the plate.

Tory Bennett is 1 for 2.

>> Weave got a broken belt on first base.

>> Take it off and play on.

All right.

>> Pederson has been waiting for that opportunity to run.

Now she's out there at first with two outs.

And Bennett at the plate.

Bennett hitting .466, 55 hits on the year.

She was one that talked about the big crowds that Fort Dodge brings and says, a big crowd just really feeds us a lot of energy.

I tell you what, a big hit right now, you feel that energy.

>> No doubt.

>> This crowd will come alive.

2-0 the count here.

Strong swing by Bennett.

Bennett will join teammate Jalen Adams, playing softball at the university of Iowa next year.

Bennett has had quite a state tournament.

2 for 4 with two runs scored against West Des Moines Valley.

2 for 3 with two runs scored against Waukee.

A deep shot trying to put two on the board.

This will turn foul.

Quite a swing by Tory Bennett.

Tory Bennett there trying to tie this game up going in with an open stance.

>> Bennett the senior, fouls it off, stays alive.

The first two batters of the inning for Fort Dodge retired, Jalen Adams with a two-out single to center.

Reese Pederson running at first.

Bennett at the plate.

Slapped right side and just foul, inches from the paint out in right field.

>> That was close.

Tory Bennett taking the outside pitch, poking it where the You have to think Pederson at first base had a shot at scoring on that.

>> Our first base umpire had a great view.

So Bennett digs in.

2 balls, 2 strikes is the count.

Two outs.

Here in the bottom of the sixth, it's this one down the left field line.

That one will go foul.

This will be the eighth pitch of this at-bat coming up.

>> Tory Bennett here, regardless of how this at-bat turns out, winning each pitch, phenomenal at-bat by her owning the lines right now.

Again, open stance.

>> 2-2.

This is popped up.

Underneath it is Ava Smith the right fielder.

Waukee Northwest gets out of the jam.

Let's listen in as Waukee Northwest comes to the plate.

Carrie Eby is mic'd up.

>> Ava, nice job, nice job.

>> It's not done yet.

>> Not done yet.

>> Let's go.

All right.

Carrie Eby getting ready to see her Waukee Northwest head to the plate again.

A big two-run out put in the fifth inning.

That's the difference so far.

These two teams are showing -- offensively both these teams have the ability to strike but these pitchers are dealing.

>> We haven't seen a single walk yet in this game.

The pitchers are continuing to attack bats.

These hitters are putting the ball in play.

These defenses they're not letting nearly anything drop.

You talk about picture perfect softball.

I have to be honest, that's nearly what we're seeing right now.

>> This is what you want to see in a 5A state championship game.

Top-seeded Fort Dodge, third-seeded Waukee Northwest, they are delivering here in this final game of the 5A season.

There is how it has played out thus far.

>> To the top of the seventh we go.

It's eight, nine, one coming to the plate for the Wolves.

It was the bottom of the order that got things going back in the fifth inning.

Ava Smith a single, Maddie Oetzmann with a single.

This is Ella Parker in the seventh and starts with a single.

>> Ella Parker continuing to do it on the bottom of the Waukee Northwest batting lineup.

What I love right now, they're not trying to do too much with the ball.

That's just routine hitting, great diving effort out in center field, but just came up slightly short.

>> Maggie Elsbecker, the junior center fielder.

I think we'll have a pinch hitter come up here for Oetzmann in the seventh.

Alayna Schulte was the courtesy runner back in the fifth inning and scored the second run of the game.

Comes up here in the seventh for a plate appearance.

Parker, a leadoff single.

Showing bunt.

>> Northwest look to being playing for an insurance run.

I think it's the smart play.

Up by two runs in the last inning, playing for that insurance run.

There's something to be said for a three-run lead.

There really is.

One run, two runs doesn't always feel safe.

She's once again unable to get that bunt down.

So two strikes now.

>> The reasoning behind that, Ali, you get a base hit, the tieing run comes to the plate if you're up 2-0.

If you can get that third run, it feels like you've got to have a couple more things happen potentially.

>> Right.

The amount of pressure a defense feels in this situation it's a 5A state championship game.

Having a third run is huge.

Great pitch by Adams working off the plate.

>> Schulte able to hold fouling the first two pitches off on her two bunt attempts will slap Parker over to second.

Pops it up.

Underneath it is Myers for out number one.

Parker remains at first and Waukee Northwest has the top of the batting order now coming to the plate.

In Bailie Kroll.

Kroll 0 for 3, two ground-outs and a fielders choice back in the fifth inning.

That is slapped foul.

>> Kroll with one out, a swinging approach rather than dropping a bunt down.

>> Right back to Adams.

Catching it in the air for out number two.

>> Adams once again fielding her position, this time going the opposite way.

See if there's a double play opportunity at first base.

>> Just enough leather.

So Reagan Bartholomew at the plate.

0 for 3 here.

Has hit it hard in each at-bat.

Nine home runs on the season.

Took that one upstairs.

1-1 the count.

Bartholomew the serious leader, gets locked in for this Waukee Northwest team.

Grounder goes foul third base side.

>> Bartholomew here with what could be her last high school at-bat, she's hit the ball well this game.

Just hasn't found the grass.

>> Play division one softball at the University of Miami Ohio next year.

It's in the air and will land foul.

Great effort by Haley Wills, the senior first baseman.

>> She's shown what she's able to do on defense this game.

Tweaked her knee a little bit there.

That's straight effort right there.

>> Adams WAUNGing all the way over to third just to high-five the effort.

>> The 1-2, changeup floats outside.

>> Adams taking almost a little too much off the changeup.

You could see it coming a little too soon.

>> Bartholomew pops it straight up.

Adams calls it for herself.

A leadoff single for Waukee Northwest turns into one runner left on base.

2-0 is our score.

We head to the bottom of the seventh inning.

Fort Dodge, their last opportunity to score.

>> You're doing it right here.

Be patient.

Dugout, I need you, I need you.

Be patient.

Be patient.

Be patient.

>> Three, four, five, that is the hitters that come to the plate in the seventh.

Coach Adams wanting them to be patient at the plate.

>> I like that approach, just wait, find your pitch.

Oetzmann is not throwing balls, but she's working right around the plate every pitch here.

Be patient, find the one you want.

As we talked about earlier, two runs is not a huge lead.

This game is very much within reach for Fort Dodge right now.

>> See a lot of the black and red T-shirts in the crowd for Fort Dodge.

Waukee Northwest fully on display with their new blue in their first year as a high school, and looking for a state championship in softball.

>> Mariah Myers, just a freshman up at the plate.

She's made great contact this game.

The balls have not fallen but she's made solid contact twice already.

>> A fly ball, shallow right field.

It's going to be caught by the second baseman Bailie Kroll, the senior.

There's one away.

Myers retired.

Haley Wills steps in now for Fort Dodge.

>> That one low and just under the knees.

Wills the senior has turned into a fantastic leader for Fort Dodge right now the Dodgers need Wills to lead this seventh inning rally.

>> Oetzmann went straight for the zone, attack, attack, attack.

>> Ali, Waukee Northwest trying to close out a state championship in their first tournament appearance.

The last large class school to win a state title in their first state tournament appearance was Des Moines Valley in 1992.

Now, these Wolves, they have some experience.

They've been here at the state tournament before, but the school itself -- >> A team that's filled with upper class men.

Seven seniors on the roster.

They truly do play for each other.

One thing we haven't pointed out yet, everyone on the Waukee Northwest team wears a yellow bow in their hair, in honor of Maddie Oetzmann's late father, just a neat tribute for her and her family.

This team plays together.

>> They all bought in.

Brant new school, brand new culture.

You get to set the table for not just this year, but the players that will return for the years ahead.

>> They talk about on day one, a ladder of goals in their hitting facility and they've been checking them off one by one.

>> Called strike three on Wills.

That is five strikeouts for Maddie Oetzmann.

So Lucy Porter to the plate.

Singled in her last at-bat.

Fort Dodge down to their final out.

>> They're taking strike one.

I don't mind the take a little bit outside.

Definitely a good strike called.

Not a pitch she's really going to drive.

Oetzmann just feeling it out there right now, looking at Boyd, giving her the fist bump.

0-2, ahead.

>> Maddie Oetzmann, a junior, looking to close out the 2022 5A championship game.

The pop the right field.

Smith makes the catch.

Waukee Northwest are your 2022 5A state softball champions!

>> Hats off here to Maddie Oetzmann.

What a game she threw in the circle for Waukee Northwest.

In my eyes has to be game MVP here.

Five strikeouts.

Fort Dodge just struggled to square her up all day.

>> Such a powerful lineup in Fort Dodge.

Oetzmann able to hold them to just four hits, had five strikeouts.

No walks in the game.

What a finish.

2-0, Waukee Northwest gets the win over Fort Dodge.

It was a fifth inning two RBI single by Kiana Carnes that provided the offense.

>> Kiana Carnes came up huge.

It started with the bottom of the Waukee Northwest lineup with a single by Ava Smith, single by Maddie Oetzmann, and then the huge RBI by Kiana Carnes to seal the deal in the fifth inning.

>> Carrie Eby starts a new tradition for Waukee Northwest.

Get to the state tournament, win the state tournament.

First year as a school.

Longtime head softball coach.

11 years for Waukee high school and her first year as she's now coaching the Waukee Northwest wolves.

>> She was smiling as she was coming in.

What a play out in right field by Ava Smith to send the game.

>> The goose I believe stays in the dugout, but that goose is going to make a return to the softball field for sure.

How about a year for Carrie Eby.

A 2022 hall of fame inductee this year.

>> One of the neatest things she talked about this week is about her team.

She continued.

This week is about her team and Friday was about her.

She gets to have her day tomorrow.

What a way to celebrate tonight.

>> She tried to hide it from her team.

With social media these days, that was impossible.

>> -- here is your 2022 class 5A all tournament team.

From Fort Dodge, Lucy Porter.

From Northwest, Zuri Patterson.

From Fort Dodge Mariah Myers.

From Waukee Northwest Ava Smith.

From Muscatine Carly Ricketts.

From West Des Moines Valley.

Gianna Laura.

From Muscatine Mora Calupa.

From Fort Dodge Tory Bennett.

From Waukee Northwest Kiana Carnes.

From Fort Dodge Jalen Adams.

And your 2022 class 5A all tournament team captain, from Waukee Northwest Maddie Oetzmann.

>> Ali, no doubt about it, Maddie the captain of this all-tournament team.

Four players from Waukee Northwest, four from Fort Dodge who slug it out.

MOELTS, winning over Valley 16-2.

>> Well deserved all tournament team out there right now.

After watching this game you had to know that the MVP would go to whichever pitcher ended up pulling it out.

They threw phenomenally, but what a great group of girls out there.

>> Oetzmann allowed four hits.

Adams only allowed six hits in the game.

But Waukee Northwest gets that clutch hit by all tournament team member Kiana Carnes.

>> In addition to receiving medallions, every participating player will get a softball from Iowa title sponsor.

Presenting the awards are the members of the board of directors Ron FOCHBDness and Dee an Cramer.

To our runners up?

5A, congratulations to head coach Andi Adams and the Fort Dodge Dodgers on an outstanding 2022 softball season.

>> And presenting your 2022 class 5A softball champion, head coach Carrie Eby and the Northwest Wolves of Waukee.

>> Ali, Waukee Northwest wins the fifth match-up of the season against Fort Dodge after both teams beating each other twice during the regular season.

Oetzmann was fantastic.

Fort Dodge didn't get a runner past first base.

>> Unable to move runners past first base.

This Waukee Northwest team came to play today.

They came out, said we're going to execute, going to attack.

That's exactly what they did.

Hats off to Maddie Oetzmann, coach Carrie Eby and the Waukee Northwest Wolves.

>> Ali, stick around.

We'll do the 4A game as Waukee Northwest wins it 2-0 over Fort Dodge.

It was a phenomenal game here.

The 4A game is at 7:30.

We're moving our live broadcast to Iowa PBS world.3.

It will still start at 7:30.

Find it online.

Thank you so much form joining us here on Iowa PBS.

The 4A championship game comes your way from Fort Dodge after this.

>>> Funding provided by -- >> You work hard to feed them well.

At fairway we're committed to personalized service while treating our customers like family and.

Fair way meat and grocery.

That's what we're all about.

>> But Musco lighting, providing lighting systems for you, your project and your community.