Benton ‘enjoys the moment,’ handles Solon 5-1 in a 3A state softball quarterfinal

FORT DODGE — It’s more than a mere mishmash of vowels and consonants.

RSAETM.

It’s an acronym on a clip in the laces of the Benton Bobcats’ shoes. Relax, smile and enjoy the moment.

“It’s just a game. There are things more important,” Benton Community softball coach Jordon Rettenmeier said. “But when you relax, smile and enjoy the moment, good things happen.”

Good things happened Tuesday afternoon.

Lexie Pippert delivered a key three-run double in the first inning, and top-ranked Benton was the frontrunner throughout a 5-1 victory over Wamac Conference rival Solon in a Class 3A quarterfinal at the Rogers Sports Complex.

The stakes come no higher than a state tournament, but if anybody can keep it in perspective, it’s the Bobcats, who improved to 32-7.

They’ll face No. 5 Davenport Assumption (25-12) in the semifinal round at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. Assumption got past No. 6 Estherville-Lincoln Central, 6-5, in the first round.

Their blue clips, intertwined in their left shoelaces, carry the RSAETM slogan, a reminder to breathe.

Orange clips on their right shoelaces contain the Team Tatum message, in honor of schoolmate Tatum Schroeder, who continues to battle cancer.

“There’s more to life than softball,” Hannah Greiner said.

And yet, they played softball quite well Tuesday. They tallied four runs in the first inning, and were never seriously threatened.

Benton loaded the bases immediately in the bottom of the first: Emma Townsley was hit by a pitch. Greiner doubled. Ana Glawe was intentionally walked.

Jessa DeMoss lifted a fly ball behind third base that was dropped, allowing Townsley to race home.

The Bobcats reloaded the bases with two outs, setting the stage for Pippert, who drove the ball to the left-center field gap to score three.

“I had a lot of confidence going into the game,” Pippert said. “We needed to score runs, and any way we could do it worked. I knew we could do it. Play our game, and we’ll succeed.”

The cushion was plenty for DeMoss (20-3), who held the Spartans (18-25) to five hits.

“Lexie’s hit was absolutely huge,” DeMoss said. “She hits like that all the time. It’s just a matter of whether it goes to a hole or right at somebody.

“I wasn’t too nervous, just really excited.”

Solon scored its run in the third inning. Kayla Meseck led off with a single, and ran home on a first-and-third play in which Keegan Kleppe was thrown out stealing.

Greiner, who was 3-for-3 with two doubles, hit a one-out single in the fifth, and eventually scored on Layna DeMoss’ single.

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Photos: Benton Community vs. Solon in Class 3A state softball quarterfinals

Solon plays its consolation game at 10 a.m. Wednesday against ELC (31-7).

“If we’d have given up one run in the first inning, it would have been no big deal,” Solon Coach Brad Holub said. “But Pippert had the big double to clear the bases.

“We felt confident. The pressure was on them.”

But the Bobcats didn’t wilt. They relaxed. They smiled. And they enjoyed the moment.

Benton Community 5, Solon 1

Class 3A State Quarterfinal, at Fort Dodge

Solon 001 000 0 — 1 5 1

Benton Community 400 010 x — 5 5 0

Kendall Jensen and Avery Babbitt. Jessa DeMoss and Ana Glawe. W — DeMoss (20-3). L — Jensen (7-10).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com