Lisbon doesn’t get many hits, but gets the clutch one in a 2A regional-semifinal win over Alburnett

LISBON — Addie Clark saw nine pitches in her decisive at-bat, and with each one, grew a little more comfortable.

“I tried to keep my eyes on the pitch,” she said. “I was hoping I’d get a good one to swing at.”

Clark laced the go-ahead single with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, and fourth-ranked Lisbon escaped Alburnett, 4-3, in a Class 2A softball regional semifinal Friday night at Miller Park at Bunting Field.

“Addie got better with every at-bat,” Lions Coach Bob Bunting said. “She hit a lot of foul balls that last time up, and that gave her confidence.”

Lisbon (33-7) prevailed despite getting out-hit by an 11-3 margin. The Lions advance to Monday’s regional final against South Winneshiek (21-14); a win will send them to state for the sixth straight year, the first time in 2A.

“It’s another accomplishment, another step toward our goal,” Clark said.

South Winn pulled its second consecutive upset of a rated opponent Friday, 5-4 over No. 15 Wapsie Valley.

It wasn’t much consolation in the aftermath, but Alburnett (25-12) was every bit Lisbon’s equal — if not more — in this one.

The Pirates stranded 11 runners, seven in scoring position.

“That’s been our Achilles,” Alburnett Coach Brenden Drahn said. “Good teams get on base. Great teams get those two-out hits. That’s the next step we’ve got to take.”

Alburnett did get a clutch hit in the top of the sixth inning, a two-run triple by Peyton Scott that tied the game, 3-3.

Lisbon responded in the bottom half.

Ryleigh Allgood led off with a walk. It was her third time on base — the first two times, Bunting summoned a courtesy runner. But not this time.

“She’s a good, smart baserunner,” Bunting said. “I wasn’t going to gamble with a pinch-runner late in the game.”

After a sacrifice bunt by Addi Petersen moved Allgood to second base and a wild pitch sent her to third, Kamryn Kahl walked.

That brought up Clark, who struck out her first time up and walked the next time.

Her clean single put the Lions in front, this time for good.

Alburnett got the first two runners on base in the seventh, but a heads-up play by Lisbon first baseman Ella Clark got the lead runner at third base on a bunt attempt.

Allgood (21-4) induced two groundouts, and the Lions went home winners.

Lisbon jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on two hits and an error, but didn’t manage another hit off Alburnett pitcher Ingrid Landa (9-5) until Clark’s biggie in the sixth.

Lonna Wickman tripled to lead off the second, then scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-1.

Addie Clark tallied on a wild pitch in the fifth to extend Lisbon’s lead to 3-1.

With two outs in the sixth, Ally Olmstead singled, Gralynn Martin doubled and Scott’s drive chased them both home.

Alburnett had at least one hit in every inning.

“They hit it well,” Bunting said. “Too well.”

Lisbon 4, Alburnett 3

Class 2A Regional Semifinal, at Lisbon

Alburnett 010 002 0 -- 3 11 1

Lisbon 200 011 x -- 4 3 1

Ingrid Landa and Savannah Caves. Ryleigh Allgood and Blair Baltes. W -- Allgood (21-4). L -- Landa (9-5).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com