-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Pleasant Valley celebrates after beating WDM Valley during class 5A semi-finals on Wednesday

Pleasant Valley is back in the Class 5A championship round, and the Spartans made their return with authority here on Wednesday.

A seven-run fifth inning broke things wide open for top-seeded PVHS, which drubbed West Des Moines Valley at Rogers Park 9-4 last night.

Junior Carli Spelhaug went 3-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored for the Spartans (35-7 overall), who have now won 29 of 31 since a 6-5 start to the year. Spelhaug delivered a three-run double to highlight the fifth, which also saw Jessi Myer come through with a two-RBI single.

Peggy Klinger was 3-for-4 with a solo homer in the victory.

Bradley University hoops recruit Ellie Spelhaug (23-2) worked five innings of four-hit ball for the win. She walked three and struck out four.

The Spartans are in the championship round for the third consecutive year.

Kendra Schramm hit a three-run homer for Valley (32-10) in the top of the sixth. Tiger starter Claire Stalzer surrendered nine runs, but only three were earned.

Pleasant Valley squares off with Indianola for the 5A crown at 8 p.m. on Friday. Valley takes on Cedar Rapids Jefferson at 7 p.m. on Diamond 2 that same night.

PLEASANT VALLEY 9,

WDM VALLEY 4

WDM Valley 001 003 0 — 4 6 2

Pleasant Valley 110 070 x — 9 11 2

WP–Ellie Spelhaug (23-2; 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K). LP–Claire Stalzer (18-6; 4.2 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K). 2B–PV: Carli Spelhaug, Bell Luebken; V: Claire Stalzer. 3B–PV: Ellie Spelhaug. HR–PV: Carli Spelhaug, Peggy Klinger; V: Kendra Schramm.