Sigourney’s late rally falls short in state softball loss to Southeast Warren

Down 9-1 heading into the 7th inning, the Savages get the tying run to the plate before time runs out

Jul. 19, 2021 4:37 pm, Updated: Jul. 19, 2021 5:03 pm

Southeast Warren's Josie Hartman (1) runs for home plate as the throw comes in to Sigourney catcher Kaylee Weber during their Class 1A quarterfinal at the state softball tournament Monday at the Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge. Hartman was safe, and the Warhawks won, 9-6. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

FORT DODGE — They nearly got run-ruled.

Then, moments later, they nearly completed a heroic comeback.

Outplayed by fifth-ranked Southeast Warren through the first six innings, the No. 7 Sigourney Savages got the tying run to the plate in the seventh before falling short, 9-6, in a Class 1A quarterfinal at the state softball tournament Monday afternoon at the Rogers Sports Complex.

“We had nothing to lose,” Sigourney catcher Kaylee Weber said. “After we got that first hit in the last inning, we were getting hyped in the dugout.

“I’m the only senior on this team, and I don’t want to go out on a loss. We’re not going to lose tomorrow.”

Sigourney (25-9) will face North Butler (20-6) in a consolation game at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Southeast Warren (29-2) advances to meet No. 1 Newell-Fonda (36-4) in a semifinal at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Newell-Fonda was a 2-0 winner over North Butler on Monday.

Make solid contact, and good things generally follow. They did for the Warhawks, who struck out just seven times against Sigourney freshman ace Carly Goodwin.

Eight hits, four walks and four Sigourney errors turned out to be a winning combination.

“We were just waiting for our pitch,” said Warhawks catcher Bre Nolte, who reached base four times, including a two-run single in the sixth. “We took one pitch at a time.”

Goodwin (21-4), a freshman who had surrendered just 10 earned runs all year, yielded six Monday. Southeast Warren scored three times in the first inning to take the lead for good, and led 9-1 through six. With runners at second and third, the Warhawks were one hit away from ending it early.

They didn’t, though, setting the stage for some unlikely dramatics.

With two on and two outs, the Savages got a walk from Macy Fisch, then a two-run double from Madison Richard. Raegan Rozenboom reached on an error that scored two runs, and when Dani Aller singled home another run, it was 9-6 and Ava Fitch represented the tying run.

Fitch’s fly ball to shallow center field was caught by a diving Kaylee Bauer to end the threat, and the game.

“Our team is known for not giving up,” Goodwin said. “Every person came through and (got on base) at least once. That shows we never quit.”

SOUTHEAST WARREN 9, SIGOURNEY 6

Class 1A State Quarterfinal, at Fort Dodge

Sigourney 000 010 5 — 6 8 4

Southeast Warren 301 104 x — 9 8 1

Carly Goodwin and Kaylee Weber. Alivia Ruble and Bre Nolte. W — Ruble (18-2). L — Goodwin (21-4).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com