No stress this time: No. 1 Regina returns to state softball tournament

IOWA CITY — This time, no sweat.

No stress.

And very little doubt.

“When we scored in the first inning, I thought, ‘Game over,’” pitcher Ashley Webb said.

Webb knew.

Top-ranked Iowa City Regina scored two runs in each of the first three innings and handled Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, 6-2, in a Class 2A softball regional final Monday night at Regina High School.

“It was super nice, having a stress-free game,” said Alli Clark, the Regals’ No. 9 hitter, who supplied a two-run single in the third inning to stretch the lead to 6-1. “It was super important to have people hit throughout the lineup, and to keep each other hyped up.”

Reigning 2A state champions, the Regals (27-8) return to Fort Dodge’s Rogers Sports Complex for the 11th time, the 10th in the past 15 years.

Due to the fact that at least one game was suspended due to rain, state brackets won’t be released until Tuesday night.

As the No. 1 seed, it’s likely that the Regals will play their first-round game at 1 p.m. Tuesday against No. 12 Northeast or No. 14 Waterloo Columbus.

Monday’s game was a major departure from the Regals’ regional-semifinal game against Cardinal, which they trailed from the first inning until the seventh, and rallied for a 3-2 triumph.

“It was really important to score right away,” Dani Laughlin said. “Last game, we didn’t, and it prevented us from playing to our full potential.”

This time, the Regals were frontrunners from the start.

After retiring the Rockets (18-18) in order in the top of the first, Regina struck for a pair of runs in the first inning.

Avery Kies walked, Dani Laughlin followed with a bunt single, then Courtney Kessler (single) and Webb (sacrifice fly) drove in a run apiece for a 2-0 Regina lead.

“Game over,” Webb thought.

EBF answered with a run in the top of the second on Aliya Wagamon’s single, but the Regals went right back to work.

The first five batters reached base, capped by Laughlin’s two-run single.

A senior outfielder headed to Texas State University, Laughlin is an extremely tough out. After Monday’s 2-for-3 performance (with a walk), her batting average is .612 (No. 4 in the state, all classes) and her on-base rate is in the neighborhood of .670.

“I like to think I’m a triple-threat slapper, and teams don’t know what I’m going to do,” she said. “I’ve got to have all of those tools in my pocket.”

Sometimes, Coach Angela Kessler calls for a bunt. Usually, Laughlin scans the defense and chooses her strategy.

“Coach trusts me to do my thing,” Laughlin said.

Gabby Sueppel and Morgan Gahan singled in the third, then Clark singled them both home.

Webb (16-6), who retired 11 of the final 13 Rockets, transferred from Clear Creek Amana during her senior year.

She’s happy at her new home.

“The people, the team, it’s a different environment, a healthy environment,” she said. “I feel like I’ve been here forever.”

Iowa City Regina 6, Eddyville EBF 2

Class 2A Regional Final, at Iowa City Regina

Eddyville EBF 010 000 1 — 2 6 1

Iowa City Regina 222 000 x — 6 10 0

Bella Noble, Lanie Batterson (4) and Kaylee Helm. Ashley Webb and Courtney Kessler. W — Webb (16-6). L — Noble (14-15). HR — EBF: Cooper Champoux (1).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com