Another year, another state softball semifinal: Williamsburg pulls away late from Washington

FORT DODGE — They outwork, so they can outlast.

“I’m sure we practice more than anybody else,” Williamsburg softball coach Adam Berte said. “And I’m sure we practice harder than anybody else.”

The evidence is concrete.

Second-ranked Williamsburg cracked open a tight Class 3A state quarterfinal with a four-run sixth inning, and pulled away from No. 10 Washington, 7-2, Tuesday afternoon at the Rogers Sports Complex.

Two-time defending 3A state champions, the Raiders (34-7) advance to the semifinal round for the sixth consecutive year.

They’ll take an 11-game win streak into their battle with No. 5 Albia (29-3) at 4:45 Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s just pure joy,” pitcher Jersey Metz said. “It brings joy to our community, our players and our coaches.”

Sometimes the best perspective comes from an outsider. And Washington Coach Ben Obermann provided it.

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“You can only hold them down for so long,” Obermann said. “One-through-9, they’re so dangerous. You try to pick your spots, who you’re not going to let beat you.

“They’re relentless. They’re 9-hitter almost puts the ball out of the yard.”

That would be sophomore Ava Hocker, who spent her first two varsity seasons as an explosive courtesy runner.

Tuesday, Hocker drove in the Raiders’ first two runs with a second-inning triple, then doubled in the fourth and eventually scored the go-ahead run on Makenna Hughes’ double.

“It helps as a 9-hitter, you watch and listen to all of the other hitters,” Hocker said. “You know with Makenna and Carly Rich behind you, you’ll be coming home soon.”

The final was 7-2, but for six innings, this was a highly competitive encounter.

Washington (29-10) drew even at 2-2 on Colbie Greiner’s two-run homer in the top of the third.

“I got a changeup,” Greiner said. “I knew (Metz’s) changeup was her best pitch.”

Metz (18-5) buckled down after that, retiring 13 of the final 14 batters she faced.

“People are going to hit the ball sometimes,” Metz said. “I had to be laser-focused after that. I knew I could do it, and I knew I had girls behind me.”

Williamsburg finished with 10 hits, and the dam broke in the bottom of the sixth.

Kiley Allen started it with a one-out single, and advanced on Hocker’s sacrifice bunt. The Demons intentionally walked Hughes, then Rich spoiled that scheme with a two-run double that made it 5-2.

On the following pitch, Alley Gorsh homered to provide the final margin.

Gorsh was 4-for-4.

“I was looking for another single (that last time up),” Gorsh said. “Singles had been doing the job.”

“Alley has improved more than anybody we’ve ever had here, from her eighth-grade year to her senior year,” Berte said. “It’s been a linear progression.”

Washington will face Estherville-Lincoln Central (23-8) in a consolation game at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Williamsburg 7, Washington 2

Class 3A State Quarterfinal, at Fort Dodge

Washington 002 000 0 — 2 4 2

Williamsburg 020 104 x — 7 10 0

Bella Salazar and Alyvia Anderson. Jersey Metz and Lilly Ness. W — Metz (18-5). L — Salazar (15-4) . HR — WASH: Colbie Greiner (5), WILL: Alley Gorsh (7).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com