Benton Community reverses softball regional-final fortunes, whips Mount Vernon

VAN HORNE — DeMoss. DeLivered.

Eighth-grader Layna DeMoss walloped a three-run home run in the first inning, fueling sixth-ranked Benton Community in an 8-2 Class 3A softball regional-final conquest of No. 7 Mount Vernon on Tuesday at Zittergruen Field.

“I’m just ecstatic,” DeMoss said after the Bobcats (28-14) ended the Mustangs’ title reign. “We put up (four) runs right away.

“The last time we played them, they pitched me low and outside. That’s where I love to hit.

“They pitched to my sweet spot.”

Benton ended a stretch of three straight regional-final losses and advanced to the state tournament for the 17th time, the first since 2018.

The Bobcats will face No. 3 Dubuque Wahlert (31-8) in a 3A quarterfinal at 11:30 a.m. next Tuesday at the Rogers Sports Complex, Fort Dodge.

“Our seniors deserved this,” junior pitcher Jessa DeMoss said. “I can’t wait to go out to Fort Dodge and compete with them.”

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The Bobcats have won 23 of their last 28 games after a 5-9 start. They’re going to be a tough, tough out next week.

Mount Vernon retired at 27-11. The Mustangs committed four errors (only one of Benton’s eight runs was earned), and played from behind throughout.

Emma Townsley opened the bottom of the first inning with a single and was bunted to second.

Jessa DeMoss walked, then Hannah Greiner’s fly ball to the outfield was dropped for the first run.

Up came Layna DeMoss, who deposited a 1-2 pitch over the left-field fence for a 4-0 margin.

How did Older Sister react to Little Sister’s big moment?

“So excited for her,” Jessa said. “So, so proud of her. That set the tone for the game.”

Greiner added, “It was awesome. It got us so excited.”

It remained 4-0 until the fifth, when the Bobcats scored four more. Greiner’s RBI double played a role, and so did two Mount Vernon miscues.

Kameron Brand’s double in the sixth accounted for the Mustangs’ two runs.

Benton earned home-field advantage for this game based on a regular-season sweep of the Mustangs. And Tuesday, the Bobcats completed the trifecta.

It can be tricky adjusting to a team of older girls. But, Layna DeMoss said, this was a snap.

“I played with them last fall,” she said. “I knew (Jessa) would introduce me to them, and that I would fit in. It’s been such a great environment; they’re such great teammates.”

Benton Community 8, Mount Vernon 2

Class 3A Regional Final, at Van Horne

Mount Vernon 000 002 0 — 2 5 4

Benton Community 400 040 x — 8 5 2

Hayden Gookin and Kenna Rollinger. Jessa DeMoss and Ana Glawe. W — DeMoss (17-9). L — Gookin (18-5). HR — BC: Layna DeMoss (7).

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Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com