Senior Abby Kraemer is making the most out of Alta-Aurelia’s only trips ever to the state tournament.

A year removed from their first state appearance, the Warriors (22-9 overall) will play for the Class 2A state championship after defeating fifth-ranked East Marshall (32-5) by a 2-1 count on Wednesday in a semifinal matchup.

Alta-Aurelia will face top-ranked North Linn (41-4) in Thursday’s Class 2A championship. First pitch is set for 8:15 p.m. on Kruger Seeds Field (Diamond 1).

The Warriors, who limped into the postseason losing six of their last 10 regular season games, have won all five of their tourney contests now by a combined score of 31-8.

The 13th-ranked Warriors defeated 2018 semifinalist and eighth-ranked Central Springs in the first round with a shutout.

Kraemer didn’t give up one earned run on Wednesday, allowing five hits. She had 11 strikeouts to go along with nine in the opening contest.

Kraemer also had a hit. Brittany Turnquist added a double for the Warriors, and Shea Peterson drove in a run.

East Marshall’s Regan McIlrath had an RBI.

The Mustangs will face Mount Ayr (26-3) in the Class 2A third place game at 7 p.m. on Iowa Central Field (Diamond 2).

ALTA-AURELIA 2,

EAST MARSHALL 1

Alta-Aurelia 200 000 0 — 2 5 0

East Marshall 100 000 0 — 1 5 2

WP–Abby Kraemer (7IP, 5H, 1ER, 3BB, 11SO); LP–Kodie Hoskey (7IP, 5H, 0ER, 2BB, 2SO); LOB–Alta-Aurelia 8, East Marshall 6; 2B–AA: Brittany Turnquist; SACB–EM: Melinda Puumala; SB–EM: Puumala, Reagan McIlrath.