Natalie Blank’s homer sends Kennedy to 3rd

FORT DODGE — She thought it was a simple pop-up.

Instead, it was a game-winning home run. And a no-doubter.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Natalie Blank was as shocked as anyone after her three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning beat Urbandale, 5-3, in the Class 5A third-place game at the state softball tournament Friday at the Rogers Sports Complex.

'The pitch came in, and when I swung, I didn't expect anything big,' said Blank, a junior and the Cougars' No. 9 hitter. 'I saw it go out, and I thought, 'I just hit a home run to win us a game.''

It was Blank's first home run of the season, of her life.

Kennedy rallied from a 3-0 deficit and finished its best season in school history at 37-8.

Ashley Hamilton and Megan Weber homered in the fifth inning. It was clear before the sixth inning started that it would be the last, due to the 90-minute time restriction for consolation games.

Camryn Jeffords and Sydney Kinney singled to lead off the bottom of the sixth, then Blank went deep with one out.

Hamilton and Jenna Schwartzhoff were named to the 5A all-tournament team. Pleasant Valley beat Waukee, 8-2, for the championship.

Urbandale (32-10) scored a run in the first and two more in the third.

Eighth-grader Jayme Scheck picked up the win, allowing six hits and walking four. She struck out nine.

WESTWOOD 6, SIGOURNEY 3

Westwood broke a 3-3 tie with three runs in the top of the sixth inning and claimed third place in 1A.

Five different players had a hit for the Savages, who finished 23-13. Summer Barthelman, Megan Stuhr and Savhannah White drove in runs.

Sigourney committed four errors.

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