First Team
Riley Miller (Audubon)
Jadyn Huisman (Treynor)
Audrie Kohl (Missouri Valley)
Jordan Porsch (Audubon)
Delaney Matthews (Treynor)
Brooklyn Lange (Missouri Valley)
Mattie Nielsen (Audubon)
Elly Henderson (Riverside)
Campbell Chase (Loma)
Graycen Partlow (AHSTW)
Mary Stephens (Underwood)
Dilynn Meade (Missouri Valley)
Emerson Anderson (Missouri Valley)
Etta Partlow (AHSTW)
Addie Minahan (Treynor)

Second Team
Claire Cook (Underwood)
Madeline Maguire (Loma)
Taryn Petersen (Audubon)
Ruby Potomson (Underwood)
Kayden Schnack (Riverside)
Malie McKern (Treynor)
Hayden Thomas (Tri – Center)
Sophia Fenner (Riverside)
Bella Lamp (AHSTW)
Anna Stangl (IKM – Manning)
Kaitlyn Evans (Loma)
Madison Kelly (Riverside)

Honorable Mention
Clara Pace (AHSTW)
Teagan Carritt (Loma)
Marki Bertelsen (Loma)
Loralei Wahling (AHSTW)
Joenellie Hernandez-Goldapp (TC)
Peyton Schafer (Riverside)
Caitlin Greiner (Tri – Center)
Alikxa McGinn (IKM – Manning)
Kennedy Wyman (AHSTW)
Hailey Ferris (Missouri Valley)
Addesyn Hocker (Audubon)
Allissa Fischer (Underwood)
Claire Schrage (Tryenor)

Class 1A-2A (Carroll, IA)

1A State Title Game: 

Lynnville Sully 7, Remsen St. Mary’s 1

2A State Title Game:

Underwood 5, New Hampton 1

Class 3A-4A (Cedar Rapids, IA)

3A State Title Game: 

North Polk 5, Bishop Heelan 4

4A State Title Game: 

Cedar Rapids Kennedy 7, Dowling Catholic 3

3A State Championship Game:

Williamsburg 12, Davenport Assumption 9

3A State Consolation:

Dubuque Wahlert 7, Benton 1

2A State Championship Game: 

Van Meter 5, Audubon 3

2A State Consolation: 

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 14, East Marshall 2

1A State Championship Game: 

Sigourney 3, Martensdale St. Mary’s 2

1A State Consolation: 

SE Warren 12, St. Edmond 8

The Van Meter Bulldogs won the Class 2A State Softball Championship 5-3 in suspenseful fashion against the Audubon Wheelers on Friday night. Right out of the gate it seemed to be another defensive battle between two talented teams. In the top of the first inning Audubon had difficulty batting only gaining two walks and no hits. The bottom of the first inning saw Riley Miller get to work immediately striking out 2 Bulldogs and giving up no hits. The hitting struggles continued in the top of the second seeing 3 more Wheelers strike out with a variety of pitches from Madeline Waldorf. Van Meter finally managed to get a run in the bottom of the second with an error out first, making it a 1-0 lead.

The Wheelers were ready to respond in the top of the third thanks to a passed ball spinning in the backstop to bring in a run and an error from Cali Richards overthrowing the tag at home. Suddenly it was a 2-1 lead for Audubon and they forced relief pitcher Bianca Prickett to come in. Miller continued her persistent work retiring the Van Meter side quickly as the game turned into the top of the fourth. It was there that Taryn Petersen had a deep double out in the center gap to bring Mattie Nielsen home. The energy continued to build for Audubon as the lead was built to 3-1. Both sides remained in a standstill till the bottom of the fifth inning. The Bulldogs managed to load the bases with a walk, another error over at first, and a well executed bunt. Van Meter would tie in the bottom of the fifth by a bases loaded walk and RBI single from Halle Karaidos to have the game tied at 3-3.

In the top of the sixth inning Audubon would have trouble with relief pitcher Prickett as she sent three straight Wheelers back to the dugout. In the bottom of the sixth Van Meter had a base hit from Kennedy Wiedman to put the go ahead run on. Miller then forced a pop fly and created a strikeout. With two outs and a 2-2 count Mady Schnell hit a rope deep into center field past the fence for a 2-run homer. Van Meter had the lead once again at 5-3.

Audubon would get 2 runners on in the top of the seventh thanks to back to back base hits by Jordan Porsch and Miller with two outs. It then came down to Alexis Obermeier and who hit a grounder right at third base which would create a forced out and give the state title to the Bulldogs with a final score of 5-3.

Wheelers head coach Andrea Schwery was proud of the way her team played and gave credit to the talent displayed by Van Meter.

Audubon saw a lot of grit by Porsch going 2-3 at the plate and by Petersen with her RBI double. Miller pitched 6 innings, gave up 5 runs, 5 hits, and struck out 7. Coach Schwery wants her team to hold their heads up high by the effort they showed on the night.

While the loss stings, Petersen noted that they have plenty of talent coming back next year.

Speaking on next year, coach Schwery is looking forward to the depth that will be returning for another season as the Wheelers end their year with a record of 29-5.

Prickett was a major help to the Bulldogs pitching 4 and 1/3 innings, with 1 earned run, 3 hits, and striking out 2. The Van Meter scoring assisted by Wiedman with her 2 hits and in RBI’s by Schnell’s 2-run homer. The Bulldogs conclude their season on a 40 game winning streak and a final record of 43-1.