-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Hannah Isley of Albia celebrate with her teammates after a solo home run against Boyden-Hull Rock Valley during Class 3A quarterfinals on Tuesday

Carter Isley isn’t the only member of his family making history.

Hannah Isley, the younger sister of the former two-time state champion and current University of Northern Iowa wrestling standout, hit a pair of home runs to help the Lady Dees advance to the Class 3A semifinals with a 9-6victory over Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley Tuesday at Rogers Park.

No. 9 Albia (29-8 overall), who knocked off perennial state contender Solon in the regional finals last week, faces eighth-rated Mount Vernon (29-15) on Thursday night on Diamond 2 at 5:30 p.m.

Isley, a junior who entered with eight home runs, reached the double-digit mark in the sixth when she connected on a first-pitch home run. She also rocked the second pitch of the game to start off the bottom of the first, finishing the game 3-for-3 with three RBI, three runs, a stolen base and a walk.

“I knew we were good hitters and just had to keep adding to the scoreboard,” said Isley, who tied the 3A state record for homers in a game with four others. “So I figured why not hit a home run to do that.

“People say we are too young and don’t think we will make it far, but I have no doubt in my mind that we can make the finals.”

This marks the first trip to state for the Lady Dees since finishing fifth in 2006. They have won their last six including that 11-3 victory over No. 6 Solon. Despite having an underclassmen-dominated lineup, Albia has now slugged 29 homers as a team.

Rylee Leshen, a sophomore, hit her third home run of the season in the second. Pitcher Jena Lawrence helped her own cause with an RBI double in the fourth, while Alex Beard also drove in a run.

Freshman Makenna Ross reached base three times, scoring once, and classmate Abigail Martin got on twice. Leshen and Kennedy Schroeder each drove in a pair of runs.

Leshen admitted that the “big-stage” atmosphere of Rogers Park was hard to take in early on, but once the game got going, Albia’s third baseman had no trouble enjoying the moment.

“I think it was way more than any of us expected,” Leshen said. “In the first inning, it was loud the entire time. I looked over to Kennedy at shortstop and just had the biggest smile on my face. It’s crazy and the best experience I have ever had playing softball.”

The Nighthawks (32-3) take on No. 3 Sioux Center in the consolation semifinals Wednesday morning on Diamond 2 at 10 a.m. Ranked second, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley has qualified for each of the past two state tournaments, placing fourth last year.

Taylor Richter led B-H/RV with a two-RBI double, while Alexis Mousel was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Joanne Luevano also scored two runs.

ALBIA 9,

BOYDEN-HULL/ROCK VALLEY 6

B-H/RV 040 10 0 — 5 5 4

Albia 140 301 x — 9 8 1

  Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag (L, 31-3, 6 IP, 8 H, 8 ER, 3 K, 4 BB) and Alexis Mousel; Jena Lawrence (W, 21-7, 7 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 4 K, 6 BB) and Alex Beard. HR–A: Hannah Isley (2), Rylee Leshen. 2B–BHRV: Taylor Richter; A: Jena Lawrence. RBI–BHRV: Taylor Richter (2), Morgan Halbur, Erika Pottebaum, Alexis Mousel, Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag; A: Hannah Isley (3), Rylee Leshen (2), Alex Beard, Jena Lawrence, Kennedy Schroeder (2). SB–A: Hannah Isley, Carlie Ford. DP–A: 2. LOB–BHRV: 6; A: 5.