Norwalk downs Western Dubuque in 5 innings in Class 4A state softball tournament

FORT DODGE — A supportive dad called out in support of Western Dubuque in the second inning:

“Come on, Bobcats, we’re good.”

Norwalk, on the other hand, was great.

The fourth-ranked Warriors tallied four times in the bottom of the first inning, tacked on six in the second and thumped No. 8 Western Dubuque, 12-2, in a five-inning Class 4A quarterfinal at the state softball tournament Monday night at the Rogers Sports Complex.

Norwalk (32-9) will face No. 11 North Scott (27-14) in a semifinal at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon.

The Lancers shocked No. 1 North Polk, 7-4, Monday.

Western Dubuque (29-10) plays a consolation contest at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday against North Polk (30-5).

The Bobcats struck for a tally in the top of the first inning. With one out, Carson Koerperich and Hannah Hoefer singled, then Kiya Steger’s groundout plated Koerperich.

Norwalk responded immediately and emphatically.

Nyah Hulbert led off the bottom of the first with a home run, her fifth of the season, over the centerfield fence.

Jaylynn Brandt walked, Maddie Gullion doubled, then Zadie Wadle drove them both in with a single and scored on Kaylee Cary’s single to complete the four-run uprising.

The Warriors blew it open in the second behind back-to-back two-run singles by Gullion and Lauren Black.

Steger supplied her second RBI for the Bobcats in the top of the third, singling home Erica Ernzen.

Western Dubuque did collect seven hits. Hoefer and Hailey Wulfekuhle had two apiece.

Norwalk 12, Western Dubuque 2

Class 4A State Quarterfinal, at Fort Dodge

Western Dubuque 101 00 — 2 7 0

Norwalk 460 2x — 12 11 0

Kiya Steger, Hannah Hoefer (2), Baylee Neyen (4) and Kaitlyn Thole. Zadie Wadle, Olivia Dougherty (4) and Lauren Black. W — Wadle (19-5). L — Steger (14-4). HR — NORW: Nyah Hulbert (5).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com