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I-35 finds a way late

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Interstate 35 celebrates after beating Central Springs on Monday at Rogers Park.

Interstate-35’s motto “Hold the Rope” stood true to form in their Class 2A quarterfinal victory on Monday at Rogers Park.

The third-ranked Roadrunners (27-4 overall) walked off into the semifinals with a 4-3 victory over No. 10 Central Springs (29-5) in eight innings.

“We believe in ‘Hold the Rope,'” said Interstate-35 head coach Tim Bogs, who earned his 635th career victory. “If someone doesn’t come through, the person behind is there to pick it up.

“In that eighth inning, when we put down a bunt, Riley (Morris) knew she was going to get out, so she put it in the hands of Cheyenne (Hiatt).”

Cheyenne Hiatt delivered a single in the gap in the bottom of the eighth, scoring Slye Richardson all the way from second for the winning run. Richardson started the inning with a single, and Riley Morris moved her to second with a sac bunt.

“The game is not over until you shake hands,” Hiatt said. “We are glad to be back (at state).

“If we get down, we just keep talking to each other and play strong all the way around.”

The Roadrunners had runners on second and third after a lead off single from Olivia Carlson and made it to second after a sac bunt and passed ball.

I-35 forced extra innings with an RBI-single from Carlyn Stanley to plate Olivia Carlson. I-35 nearly ended the contest, but Central Springs centerfielder Lauren Klaahsen threw a rocket to home to stop the winning run.

“We weren’t swinging the bat real well and were chasing junk pitchers,” Bogs said. “We just had to stay off of them and keep doing what we know how to do.”

With all the excitement of the walk-off win, Stanley’s (27-3) strong pitching performance got lost in the shuffle. Stanley, who entered the tournament with 329 strikeouts, fanned 14 batters and allowed only two hits and one earned run.

The Roadrunners, who were fifth last season and eighth two years ago, pounded out 11 hits.

Hiatt, Kate Stanley, Olivia Carlson and Shai Major all had two hits. Hiatt and Stanley drove in two runs. Stanley and Major both had doubles. Carlson scored two runs.

Hailee Ausenhus had a home run for the Panthers.

Interstate-35 will face ninth-ranked Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (31-8) in a Class 2A semifinal on Thursday. First pitch will be set for 5 p.m. on Buena Vista University Diamond.

Central Springs will now face Waterloo Columbus (34-6) on Wednesday at 10 a.m. on Veterans’ Diamond.

INTERSTATE-35 4,

CENTRAL SPRINGS 3

C. Springs 200 100 00 — 3 2 1

Interstate-35 010 010 11 — 4 11 4

Hannah Ausenhus (L, 7•IP, 11 hits, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 SO); Carlyn Stanley (W, 8 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 14 SO); 2B–I35: Shai Major, Kate Stanley. HR–CS: Hailee Ausenhus; SACB–CS: Katie Garnas; I35: Riley Morris, Carly Stanley, Lilly Miller; SB–I35: Cheyenne Hiatt. LOB–Central Springs 8, Interstate-35 4.

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