Despite just 1 hit, Davenport Assumption edges Williamsburg in a 3A state softball semifinal

FORT DODGE — One hit. One lousy hit.

That’s what Williamsburg pitcher Peyton Driscoll allowed. And that’s all Davenport Assumption needed.

The second-ranked Knights cashed in on Helen Sons’ leadoff double in the fourth inning, and that sent them to a 1-0 victory in Wednesday’s Class 3A semifinal at the state softball tournament at the Rogers Sports Complex.

“We’re always looking for more, but I was comfortable with one run,” Assumption pitcher Bella Nigey said. “I knew this was going to be a close game because (Williamsburg) is a really good team.”

Assumption (36-8) was just a bit better, and advance to the 3A final for the sixth time in the last seven years. The Knights face No. 1 Mount Vernon (35-4) at 2:30 p.m. Friday for the title for the second straight year.

The Knights prevailed, 10-5, in 2021.

“We’re ready to defend our title,” Nigey said.

» State softball photos: Williamsburg vs. Davenport Assumption

Williamsburg (33-11) got more-than-adequate pitching from Driscoll, and excellent defense. But the Raiders managed just two hits and didn’t put a runner on base after the fourth inning.

“It really kind of sucks playing for third place,” said Shannon Finn, who had one of the Raiders’ two hits, a first-inning single. “Everybody wants to be playing for that title.”

They’ll get another good shot in 2023, when they return nine starters. But outfielder Rylee Vercande, a Northern Iowa recruit, is a big loss.

“We had a really special team,” Driscoll said. “Rylee was one of our core players.

“Yeah, this one hurts.”

Sons started the fourth with a two-base hit down the right-field line. She moved to third on a fly out by Syd Roe, then was lifted for pinchrunner Kelsie Hearne, who scored on Maddie Loken’s sacrifice fly to center.

Williamsburg entered the contest with a 12-game win streak, scoring 91 runs in the process. But the Raiders came up empty Wednesday.

“Usually is we get one person going, it rolls down,” Finn said. “We probably could have been more selective, but we had some good at-bats.”

Jersey Metz led off the fourth with a single, but advanced no further than first base.

The Raiders face Saydel (32-5) in the third-place contest at 1 p.m. Friday.

Davenport Assumption 1, Williamsburg 0

Class 3A State Semifinal, at Fort Dodge

Williamsburg 000 000 0 — 0 2 1

Davenport Assumption 000 100 x — 1 1 1

Peyton Driscoll and Jenna Thurm. Bella Nigey and Syd Roe. W — Nigey (23-3). L — Driscoll (17-5).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com