Dubuque Wahlert continues its rapid softball ascent with state quaterfinal win over Benton Community

FORT DODGE — Two years ago, two wins.

“I was on that team,” Dubuque Wahlert sophomore Anna Roling said, nodding knowingly. “We were 2-30.

“But we got a new coach, and all of that young talent.”

Look at the Golden Eagles now.

Roling was one of three Wahlert players to leave the yard, and the third-ranked Golden Eagles trampled No. 6 Benton Community in five innings, 10-0, in a Class 3A quarterfinal at the state softball tournament Tuesday afternoon at the Rogers Sports Complex.

“They hit the ball really well, and we expected that,” Benton’s Emma Townsley said. “They’re a really good team, and we left a lot of runners on base.”

Wahlert (32-8) garnered its first winners’ bracket victory in three state voyages (2009 and 2022 were the first two).

The Golden Eagles will hook up with No. 2 Davenport Assumption (33-6) in a 3A semifinal at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

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“We were ready to go,” said Ruth Tauber, one of six freshman starters. “Last year, we came up here and got beat. Today, we put together a great game. We’re confident as a team. We were nervous in the first inning, but we got over it.”

They got over it in a hurry.

Tauber led off the bottom of the first with a walk, then — after a ground out — Tierani Teslow singled her home.

Roling unloaded a two-run homer for a 3-0 lead.

Tauber hit a two-run shot in the second inning (her 11th this season), then Julia Roth went deep in the fourth inning (her 13th).

Three home runs, by a sophomore, a freshman and a freshman.

“We’re always in the weight room,” Tauber said.

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Photos: Benton Community vs. Dubuque Wahlert in state softball quarterfinals

Townsley, Layna DeMoss and Calista Nolte had the Bobcats’ three hits. Benton (28-15) lost for just the sixth time in the last 29 games and will close its Fort Dodge trip at 11 a.m. Wednesday against No. 8 Saydel (23-7).

“I’m so proud of this team,” Bobcats Coach Jordon Rettenmeier said. “Tomorrow, we want to be one of those teams that ends their season with a win.”

Seven starters will return for Benton in 2024.

Dubuque Wahlert 10, Benton Community 0

Class 3A State Quarterfinal, at Fort Dodge

Benton Community 000 00 — 0 3 2

Dubuque Wahlert 320 32 — 10 8 1

Jessa DeMoss and Ana Glawe. Julia Roth and Bailey Welu. W — Roth (15-3). L — DeMoss (17-10). HR — DW: Anna Roling (5), Ruth Tauber (11), Roth (13).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com