No coincidence: When Shannon Finn arrived, the Williamsburg softball program elevated

WILLIAMSBURG — It’s no coincidence.

Shannon Finn joined the varsity softball program at Williamsburg High School in 2020.

That’s precisely the same year that the Raiders joined the ranks of the Class 3A softball elite.

“I wouldn’t want to spend my summers any other way,” Finn said Friday at Jim Turner Field. “Our last (regional) game here, I got pretty emotional. It was my last game here on this field.”

Along with classmate Baylie Von Ahsen, Finn concludes a five-year run of glory this week at the Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge.

The second-ranked Raiders (30-12) face No. 8 Prairie City-Monroe (24-4) in a Class 3A state quarterfinal at 7 p.m. Monday.

With Finn in center field and Von Ahsen as a role player, the Raiders finished second, third, third and first in their 2020-23 state appearances.

“It’s great to have been a part of this,” Von Ahsen said. “I’m so grateful to play Raider softball, and I’m so lucky to be able to play with Shannon.”

Adam Berte has served as Williamsburg’s head coach for eight years. His third season (2019), the Raiders were knocked out of the postseason by Louisa-Muscatine.

Shortly thereafter, Berte received a phone call. It was Finn, who had just completed seventh grade.

“She called and said, ‘I’ve been lifting, I’m ready, and we’re going to (get to state) next year,” Berte said.

Yes, Finn was right: A state-tournament tradition was about to begin.

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And yes, Finn was ready. She started her eighth-grade season in right field, then eventually moved to center.

“We had some upperclassmen who had been part of the transition to us getting pretty good,” Berte said. “But she was ready to compete with all of them. She raised the level of competitiveness.”

Back then, Finn didn’t take a starting sport for granted. She still doesn’t.

“I don’t consider center field my spot,” she said. “Every year, I’ve got to earn it.

“I have a motto: You’d might as well not do something if you’re not going to give 100 percent.”

It’s not her only one. The other, a Bible passage — “Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10) — is tattooed on her right arm, in memory of her late grandfather.

Finn has been consistent offensively throughout her career, with her run total in the 40s each of the last four years and her stolen bases in the 30s. Her batting average peaked at .462 as a sophomore (she’s at .367 this year), but her RBIs have risen steadily.

Her five-year totals: 230 hits (. 393 batting average), 189 runs, 156 steals (in 174 attempts), and most importantly, 158 wins (against 48 losses).

Originally committed to South Dakota State University, Finn “had a change of plans” and decided to play locally at Kirkwood Community College.

Like Finn, Von Ahsen (. 302, 20 runs, 21 RBIs this season) was elevated to the varsity as an eighth-grader. Though her competitive playing days end this week, she is bound for the University of Iowa, where she will focus on a biology major, and eventually medical school.

Her role, she said, is “as a positive motivator, someone to pick people up. I think I have excelled in that role.”

Berte concurs.

“Baylie’s role on the field has changed from season to season, and it probably hasn’t always been easy,” he said. “But she has bought into it.”

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After a practice or after a game, Berte usually keeps his comments brief. But that doesn’t mean the huddle breaks up at that point.

“That’s when (Finn) takes over. She’ll be a great public speaker someday,” Berte said.

Finn called last year’s title run “the epitome. We finally accomplished what we had been chasing for so long. I was bawling like a baby.

“We’re going for another one, and it would be incredible if we got it.”

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com