Iowa high school softball regional rewind: Benton, Williamsburg, Western Dubuque advance to state

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 was one of three area teams to advance Tuesday, joining top-ranked Williamsburg in the 3A field. Western Dubuque advanced in 4A.

Here’s a review of Tuesday’s action:

Benton breakthrough

The Bobcats snapped a streak of three straight regional-final losses and advanced to the state tournament for the 17th time, the first since 2018.

They’ll 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.”

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.

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.”

Williamsburg returns

After finishing second, third and third in 3A at the last three state tournaments, Williamsburg arrives for another title shot, as the favorite.

The Raiders (33-9) got some much-needed breathing room with a pair of fifth-inning tallies and blanked Grinnell, 3-0.

Peyton Driscoll struck out nine and walked one in a two-hit shutout, and the Raiders got a pair of hits apiece from Shannon Finn and Taylor Pitlick.

Williamsburg faces No. 12 Albia (21-8) in the first round at 7 p.m. Monday.

Metro is shut out

For the first time since 2012, the state tournament will be without Cedar Rapids/Marion representation.

North Scott scored six late runs and topped Cedar Rapids Xavier, 6-0, in a 4A regional final, and Pleasant Valley downed Linn-Mar, 9-0, in 5A.

“I knew North Scott was going to be tough,” Xavier Coach Nikki Gahring said. “(Maddy) McDermott, she’s a very good pitcher and a very good hitter. They’re a senior-dominated team, they’re a returning state tournament team.”

McDermott threw a two-hitter.

Western Dubuque is surging

A 12-2 romp over Maquoketa sends Western Dubuque to state for the second time in three years; the Bobcats captured the 4A title in 2021.

No. 8 Western Dubuque (29-9) won its fifth straight game and its eighth in the last nine. The Bobcats face No. 4 Norwalk (31-9) at 5:30 Monday afternoon.

Iowa high school state softball pairings

Monday

Class 5A Quarterfinals

11 a.m. — Ankeny Centennial (33-5) vs. Bettendorf (29-10)

11:30 a.m. — Southeast Polk (30-9) vs. West Des Moines Valley (34-8)

1 p.m. — Ankeny (31-6) vs. Muscatine (32-6)

1:30 p.m. — Waukee Northwest (31-11) vs. Pleasant Valley (30-9)

Class 4A Quarterfinals

3 p.m. — Carlisle (30-6) vs. Winterset (25-12)

3:30 p.m. — Fort Dodge (31-9) vs. Adel ADM (24-12)

5 p.m. — North Polk (30-4) vs. North Scott (26-11)

5:30 p.m. — Norwalk (31-9) vs. Western Dubuque (29-9)

Class 3A Quarterfinals

7 p.m. — Williamsburg (33-9) vs. Albia (21-8)

7:30 p.m. — Davis County (24-4) vs. Estherville ELC (31-3)

Tuesday

Class 3A Quarterfinals

11 a.m. — Davenport Assumption (32-6) vs. Saydel (23-6)

11:30 a.m. — Dubuque Wahlert (31-8) vs. Benton Community (28-14)

Class 2A Quarterfinals

1 p.m. — Iowa City Regina (27-8) vs. Northeast (22-11)

1:30 p.m. — Lisbon (34-7) vs. Interstate 35 (25-12)

3 p.m. — Van Meter (34-5) vs. Missouri Valley (29-3)

3:30 p.m. — Central Springs (25-5) vs. West Monona (29-6)

Class 1A Quarterfinals

5 p.m. — Martensdale-St. Marys (25-6) vs. Fort Dodge St. Edmond (23-11)

5:30 p.m. — Wayne (21-8) vs. Remsen St. Mary’s (25-1)

7 p.m. — North Linn (36-6) vs. Sigourney (26-4)

7:30 p.m. — Southeast Warren (25-6) vs. Clarksville (28-1)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com