Cascade edges Regina in rematch of 2015 state title game

IOWA CITY — An RBI double off the bat of Lisa Tucker broke the gridlock between No. 4 (3A) Cascade and No. 1 (2A) Iowa City Regina to give the Cougars a 6-5 win in 8 innings.

The Cascade victory tasted a little better on Pie Night at Regina, as the Regals won the Class 2A state title over the Cougars last season in Fort Dodge.

The victory comes despite the best efforts of Regals' pitcher Sarah Lehman, who struck out 13.

The Regals were plagued by poor fielding, totaling four errors, and though only one runner scored on those errors, it was an invaluable run.

'We definitely gave that one away,' Regina Coach Jon Prottsman said. 'We had so many errors ... I said 'why'd the first three runs score?' I have no idea.'

Cascade's Bailey Clemens hit a solo home run to left center field to tie the game at five in the top half of the seventh inning, and the Cougars pounced again in the top of the eighth with an RBI double by Lisa Tucker to seal the game.

'The first couple at-bats it was kind of shaky. I know we faced Lehman last year and she has incredible pitches,' Clemens said. 'She has great speed and great pitches as well.'

Lehman's pitching did not prove decisive, however, as Regina simply had too many errors, both fielding and running.

In one sequence, Regina had runners at second and third, but Jess Hunter hit into a 9-2-5 triple play. Lehman, the lead runner, heard Prottsman's call to stay on the bag, while Katie Bracken ran from second to third. Both girls were out at third.

The Cougars improved to 23-3 on the season, while the Regals fell to 13-10.

'We knew coming down here, the number one thing is to be aggressive at the plate,' Cascade Coach Ken Weber said. 'We needed to make sure to go up there and be aggressive right away ... and defensively go up there and make a play.'