Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Kylan Straight of Logan-Magnolia tries to tag out Durant’s Broklyn Bullard on Monday in a Class 2A quarterfinal at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Second-ranked Durant wanted to make sure they put an end to its first-round curse at Rogers Park.

The Wildcats (32-7 overall), who have qualified for state three straight seasons, stayed on the winner’s side for the first time with a 9-0 victory over Logan-Magnolia (31-4).

Durant will now face Iowa City Regina (28-11) on Thursday at 3 p.m. on Buena Vista University Diamond.

The past two seasons, Durant lost the first contest in extra innings, placing seventh last season and fifth two years ago.

“As the game went on, we were driving the ball,” said Durant head coach Steve Hopkins. “A lot of these girls were sophomores the past two seasons and are familiar with the sour taste in and hopefully we can get rid of that.”

Durant fired on all cylinders, pounding out 11 hits, allowing only three hits and commiting zero errors with strong defensive plays.

“Anytime you can hold a team like Logan-Magnolia to zero runs, it’s impressive,” Hopkins said. “They are a great ballclub.

Sophomore Kamryn Meyer (20-2) silenced the 11th-ranked Panthers, allowing only two hits in six innings, while striking out eight.

“You’re always nervous when you come here, but (the butterflies) go away,” Meyer said. “There is a lot of relief to get out of the first round.

“We just have to keep doing what we’re doing.”

Meyer walked the first batter she faced on four straight pitches, but then faced the minimum batters in five straight innings. She retired 15 of the next batters she faced.

Cathy Ralfs had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 including a two run home run in the third inning.

Hannah Happ had two hits. Aubrey Werthmann drove in three runs with a two-run single and a sacrifice fly.

Reanna Rife had two hits for the Panthers and Jenna Peschel had the other.

The Panthers will meet North Union (30-7) on Wednesday on Dodger Diamond at 10 a.m.

DURANT 9,

LOGAN-MAGNOLIA 0

Lo-Ma 000 000 0 — 0 3 3

Durant 102 321 x — 9 11 0

Abbie Carlson (L, 4IP, 8 hits, 2ER, 2 BB, 3SO), Reanna Rife (2 IP, 3 hits, 2ER, 4BB, 1SO); Kamryn Meyer (W, 6IP, 2 hits, 0ER, 1BB, 8SO), Jenna Lawson (1IP, 1 hit, 0ER, 0BB, 0SO). 2B–D: Kira Schult, Hannah Happ; HR–D: Cathy Ralfs. SACF-D: Aubrey Werthmann; SACB-LM: Megan Wilson; D: Schult; SB–D: Haleigh Carnes (2), Kelly Alexander.