Albia's power surge topples Mount Vernon in state softball semifinals

FORT DODGE — Hannah Isley is in one of those zones.

'I feel really good about myself right now,' she said. 'Every time I come to the plate, I feel I'm going to get a good hit.'

Isley led an early power surge as ninth-ranked Albia downed No. 8 Mount Vernon, 5-2, in a Class 3A semifinal at the state softball tournament Thursday afternoon at the Rogers Sports Complex.

The junior hit a third-inning home run, doubled twice and scored three times to lead the Lady Dees (30-8) to their first title game. They'll face No. 1 Davenport Assumption (43-1) for the crown at 7:09 Friday night.

'They beat us in (the regional finals) last year. Hopefully, we can get some revenge,' said Isley, who is 6-for-6 this week with three home runs.

Albia hit three solo home runs in the first three innings. Rylee Leshen's second-inning shot put the Lady Dees in front for good, 2-1, then Isley and Jena Lawrence went deep in the third for a 4-1 advantage.

'They just got on us,' Mount Vernon Coach Robin Brand said. 'That's a good team with a good pitcher. The top of their lineup hits the ball hard.'

Mount Vernon (29-16) matched the Lady Dees with seven hits, but six of them were singles.

Libby Ryan and Sammy Moss had two hits apiece, and Ryan scored both of the Mustangs' runs.

'Their pitcher (Lawrence) is outstanding,' Ryan said. 'She has a great drop ball. And their bats came alive and played great defense.'

Sullivan doubled Ryan home in the first inning to get the Mustangs even at 1-1, then Moss plated Ryan in the third to bring them within 4-2.

Makenna Ross' single chased home Isley in the top of the seventh for a big insurance run.

Ryan stole four bases, sending her season total to 67.

Mount Vernon meets Center Point-Urbana (30-11) in the third-place game at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

'These guys will bounce right back,' Brand said.

ALBIA 5, MOUNT VERNON 2

Class 3A State Semifinal, at Fort Dodge

Albia 112 000 1 — 5 7 1

Mount Vernon 101 000 0 — 2 7 1

Jena Lawrence and Alex Beard. Madi Speed, Amanda Roe (3) and Bailey Hauser. W — Lawrence (22-7). L — Speed (17-7). HR — ALB: Rylee Leshen, Hannah Isley, Jena Lawrence.

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