Sophomore slugger Ana Glawe spurs Benton Community’s surge to state softball tournament

VAN HORNE — Ana Glawe speaks softly.

And, well, you know the rest.

Big stick? In the fast, strong hands of Glawe, it’s one of the most productive, prolific bats in the state.

“I try to get base hits, and they happen to go over the fence sometimes,” said Glawe, a sophomore at Benton Community High School.

The catcher ranks No. 1 in Class 3A in home runs (20) and RBIs (70). She is second in slugging percentage (1.098) and eighth in batting average (.596).

“When Ana hits it, it’s a huge crack off the bat,” pitcher Jessa DeMoss said. “Even in batting practice, off the tee.”

Glawe (pronounced GLAVE), DeMoss and the surging Bobcats have qualified for the state softball tournament for the first time since 2018. Sixth-rated Benton (28-14) faces No. 3 Dubuque Wahlert (31-8) in a 3A quarterfinal at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Rogers Sports Complex, Fort Dodge.

The Bobcats advanced by defeating No. 7 Mount Vernon, 8-2, last Tuesday, ending a three-game losing streak at the regional-final level.

After the final out and all of those pictures with that coveted red banner, the team retreated for a celebration at a fire pit of the home of teammate Emma Townsley.

With a 5-9 record in early June, this team didn’t have the appearance of a state-tournament outfit.

“Mentally, we weren’t there. We talked about visualizing and having fun,” Glawe said.

Glawe led with a season-long home run spree, and the Bobcats followed, winning 23 of 28 games. They are one of the hottest teams in the 3A field.

Last year, Glawe hit three home runs.

“She hit the ball hard last year, but they were gap shots,” Benton Coach Jordon Rettenmeier said. “With another year under her belt, she’s growing and getting stronger.”

Those gap shots, now, are clearing the outfield fence.

“I’m always lifting for every sport,” said Glawe, who also participates in cross country, basketball and track. “I have fast hands, and my lower body allows the ball to go far.”

Glawe is one home run away from Benton’s single-season record of 21, set by Alyssa Wiebel in 2015.

Wiebel hit 17 more in 2016, when Benton claimed the 3A championship. After the Bobcats won their regional final that year, Wiebel posed for a photo with Glawe, a third-grader at the time.

“I still have that photo,” Glawe said.

Slugging is only one of Glawe’s roles. She also plays a part, defensively, on every pitch, and relishes it.

In one breath, DeMoss characterizes Glawe as “very humble” and quiet. In the next ...

“She’s brutally honest, very direct,” DeMoss said. “She comes out to talk, she’ll tell me what’s working and what’s not.”

Honest. Humble. Direct. And funny.

“I like to joke around a lot,” Glawe said. “Everybody on this team can take a joke.”

But with 23 wins in 28 games, the Bobcats are no laughing matter. Overlook them at your own risk.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com