Starkenburg mows West down

FORT DODGE -- Shayla Starkenburg is the superstar. Kendyl Lindaman is the future.And top-rated Ankeny was simply too much for Iowa City West.Starkenburg improved to 30-0 with a two-hit gem, and Lindaman drove in all four runs as the Hawkettes subdued the ninth-ranked Women of Troy, 4-0, in a Class 5A semifinal at the state softball tournament Thursday night at the Rogers Sports Complex."(Starkenburg) is a very good pitcher, obviously," said West's Michaela Recker, who had one of West's two hits. "She had a really good night, and they deserved to win."Ankeny (38-6) will play for the 5A championship at 7 p.m. Friday against No. 6 Des Moines East (33-5). It's a rematch of last year's 4A final, won by East.For Starkenburg, who will pitch next year at the University of Iowa, it was a bit of revenge against several of the Women of Troy. West beat Ankeny in March for the state basketball title."That played a factor in my mindset because most of the West girls played," she said. "We're familiar with each other in big-time game situations."Starkenburg fanned 11 batters."She was lights-out," said West coach Jeff Kelley. "We're a pretty good hitting team, and we don't strike out a lot. She threw really well."And Lindaman hit really well.The eighth-grader drove in two runs with a single in the third-inning, then put the game to bed with a two-run home run in the seventh.It was her third homer of the tournament, her 12th of the season.Lindaman got her first opportunity because West pitcher Mackenzie Laux suffered through a rough stretch with her control. She walked three straight batters preceding Lindaman.West (37-7) faces Pleasant Valley (33-7) in the third-place game at 5:30 p.m. Friday.Recker had West's first hit, in the fifth inning. Lauren Larson added a single in the seventh.

Shayla Starkenburg and Chloe Stinman. Mackenzie Laux and Michaela Recker. W -- Starkenburg (30-0). L -- Laux (19-5). HR -- Kendyl Lindaman (12).

5A State Semifinal

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Iowa City West

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