Grand slam helps East Marshall battle past Lisbon, 8-1, in a 2A state softball quarterfinal

FORT DODGE — Peyton Grabenbauer’s second time to bat came at a time when East Marshall wasn’t getting many strikes to hit.

When she did get one, she unloaded.

Grabenbauer’s two-out grand slam capped a seven-run second inning, and the sixth-ranked Mustangs beat No. 8 Lisbon, 8-1, in a Class 2A quarterfinal at the state softball tournament Tuesday afternoon at the Rogers Sports Complex.

“I’ve never hit a grand slam,” Grabenbauer said. “It was great to perform in a clutch moment like that.”

Pitcher Morgan Neuroth pitched an effective four-hitter and East Marshall (33-4) won for the 19th time in its last 20 games.

The Mustangs get a shot at No. 1 Van Meter (41-1) in the semifinal round at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

“We really wanted to win, but they were the better hitting team,” said Lisbon’s Addi Petersen, one of two senior starters who helped the Lions (27-13) reach the state tournament for the seventh consecutive year.

They’ll face West Fork (18-8) in a consolation contest at 10:30 Wednesday morning.

Petersen had two of the Lions’ four hits, including an RBI single in the fifth inning.

Her one-out double in the first inning helped create a first-and-third, one-out opportunity, but the Lions couldn’t capitalize.

East Marshall opened its second-inning eruption with one out. Six straight Mustangs reached base — four on hits, then two on bases-loaded walks.

With three on the board and three more on base, Grabenbauer delivered with her fifth homer of the season.

“I had to get some runs on the board for us,” she said.

She got four.

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Photos: Lisbon vs. East Marshall in Class 2A state softball quarterfinals

East Marshall added its eighth run in the bottom of the fourth, then Petersen’s single put the Lions on the board in the fifth. Lilly Gaiser walked with two outs, then Addie Clark and Petersen both singled.

Regardless of outcome, it’s been another successful season for the Lions, who lost six starters from last season’s team, plus Coach Bob Bunting.

“We had so much fun,” said Petersen, who will play next season at Mount Mercy University. “We worked our butts off in the offseason to get here.”

East Marshall 8, Lisbon 1

Class 2A State Quarterfinal, at Fort Dodge

Lisbon 000 010 0 — 1 4 2

East Marshall 070 100 x — 8 8 1

Kyla Kahl, Addi Petersen (2) and Emma Dietsch. Morgan Neuroth and Bailey Grant. W — Neuroth (26-2). L — Kahl (21-9). HR — EM: Peyton Grabenbauer (5).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com