April 19, 2024

MSM walks off with win over Wayne at state softball

By SCOTT VICKER
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Martensdale-St. Marys center fielder Kaitlyn Schad slides into third base, but not in time to beat the tag from Wayne third baseman Brennan Banks during MSM's 6-5 win over their Pride of Iowa Conference rival on Tuesday at the State Softball Tournament. (CNA photo)

FORT DODGE — In a Class 1A state softball quarterfinal here on Tuesday, the Pride of Iowa Conference showdown between Wayne and Martensdale-St. Marys ended on a walkoff squeeze bunt.

Martensdale-St. Marys won the rubber match between the two teams, 6-5, as Vicki Kordick dropped the game-winning bunt, allowing Kylah Schumacher to score from third base.

Martensdale-St. Marys had taken an early lead in the game when Riley Coates drove in one run in the bottom of the second inning on a fielder’s choice.

The Blue Devils made it 4-0 in the bottom of the third inning, taking advantage of several Wayne errors in the inning. Pitcher Riley Verwers drove in a run in the inning for Martensdale-St. Marys.

Wayne would eventually answer back with three runs in the top half of the fifth inning, cutting the lead to 4-3.

Brennan Banks started things with a one-out double to left field, and then scored on an error after a Dally Veach single. Veach would score on an error, and the Mary Ann Downs also scored on an error.

Martensdale-St. Marys made it 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Coates drove in a run on an error by the pitcher.

Wayne battled back in the top half of the seventh inning, however, tying the game at 5-5.

Banks started the rally once again, this time with a single. Banks scored on an error after Veach singled to center field. Downs drove in Banks with an RBI groundout to tie the game.

But, the top of the Martensdale-St. Marys lineup came up big in the bottom of the seventh inning, walking the Blue Devils off.

Schumacher singled and stole second base. Kaitlyn Schad dropped a bunt for a base hit and advanced to second base, as Schumacher took third. Nicole Shutt walked to load the bases, and then Kordick dropped a squeeze bunt that allowed Schumacher to score the winning run.

Martensdale-St. Marys (26-4) advances to Thursday’s semifinal round, where the Blue Devils will take on undefeated Akron-Westfield at 1:30 p.m.

Akron-Westfield was a 5-0 winner over Glidden-Ralston on Tuesday.

Wayne moves to the consolation bracket, where the Lady Falcons met Glidden-Ralston this afternoon. The loser of that game plays in the seventh-place game at 4 p.m. and the winner plays in the fifth-place game at 4 p.m.