No. 1 Iowa City Regina rallies for 8-inning win over Northeast in state softball tournament

FORT DODGE — Angela Kessler could only let out a giant sigh after watching her Iowa City Regina softball team somehow escape again Tuesday afternoon at the state tournament.

Sophomore Kennedy Conner knocked in junior Gabby Sueppel in the bottom of the eighth to give the top-ranked Regals a 4-3 victory over Northeast at Rogers Sports Complex.

Regina (28-8) advances to face fifth-ranked Interstate 35 in a Class 2A semifinal at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“I just had a birthday,” said Kessler, Regina’s coach. “I’m getting too old for this. It just seems that no matter the situation, we can’t have anything but these kind of games.

“It was definitely too much for me until the end, but it feels great now.”

Conner, who was hit directly in the forehead earlier in the game while at-bat, called the chance to end the game “payback.”

“I’ve been hit a lot this year,” she said. “So I just wait for my chance to get some payback and when it comes, I take it. There was no better feeling than delivering and getting to see how happy my teammates were.”

Moments after the game-winning hit, Conner placed Regina into the semis on the big board as they look for a second consecutive state title. The Regals have now made 11 trips overall and qualified for state eight of the last 11 seasons.

“I just can’t believe it,” Conner said. “This is definitely something I will never forget.”

Ashley Webb allowed solo home runs to start the first and fourth innings, but was strong between that. She struck out nine and walked just two, allowing seven total hits. Her defense also helped get her out of tough situations several times.

“We have incredible senior leadership and they really take it upon themselves to talk to the girls and coach them up,” Kessler said. “Honestly, I just kind of stay out of the way unless I see something I need to say. This group really has taken it upon themselves to get ready for this tournament.”

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Photos: Iowa City Regina vs. Northeast in state softball quarterfinals

One of those seniors, Dani Laughlin, tripled in the third, scoring junior Avery Kies to tie the game at 1-all after a solo home run by Northeast’s Madison Kluever. Laughlin came around on a grounder by Courtney Kessler, the daughter of Angela.

The Rebels took back the lead in the fourth with Regina tying the game at 3-all on a grounder by Morgan Gahan that plated Kessler. Kessler finished 2-for-3 with a walk, while Conner reached twice and Jillian Panther had a double.

Interstate 35 (26-12) advanced to the final four with a 9-5 victory over No. 4 Lisbon. The Roadrunners are in the state tournament for the first time since 2017.

Iowa City Regina 4, Northeast 3 (8 inn.)-

Class 2A State Quarterfinal, at Fort Dodge

Northeast 100 200 00 — 3 7 0

Iowa City Regina 002 001 01 — 4 8 1

Madison Kluever and Bailee Petry. Ashley Webb and Courtney Kessler.

W-Ashley Webb (16-6). L-Madison Kluever (15-6). HR-N: Madison Kluever (6), Ella Trenkamp (4).