Through six innings, Underwood could do nothing against Louisa-Muscatine ace Hailey Sanders.

Sanders received all the run support she would need early on, tossing a one-hitter with 12 strikeouts to lead the Falcons into the Class 2A semifinals with a convincing 6-1 win over Underwood at Rogers Park Tuesday evening.

The University of Northern Iowa recruit improved to 14-2 on the year while also helping her own cause with a pair of hits and an RBI. Louisa-Muscatine (19-5 overall) faces Ogden on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. on Iowa Central Field.

Sanders retired the first 15 Underwood (14-5) batters she faced before issuing a walk. In the seventh, Maddie Pierce ended her no-hit attempt with a solo home run.

“I did know (I had a no-hitter) and I was like ‘dang it’ when (Pierce got her hit,” Sanders said. “It was a good battle and she got a hold of one. But getting the win for sure (was more important).”

Kylee Sanders, Hailey’s sister who is a junior and has also committed to UNI, went 2-for-4 with two runs out of the leadoff position. McKenna Hohenadel and McKenzie Kissel each had two hits with Brynn Jeambey driving in a pair.

A year ago, Louisa-Muscatine advanced to the 3A state finals before coming up just short. Five starters are back from that nucleus and primed to add to the trophy case that includes a title in 2018.

“We are super excited to be in this position,” Sanders said. “It is a big relief (getting the first win) because we didn’t want to go home. We told ourselves that we had to win this game.”

Underwood was making its first trip to state since the 2004 season and eighths overall.

LOUISA-MUSCATINE 6,

UNDERWOOD 1

Underwood 000 000 1 — 1 1 2

L-M 0111 301 x — 6 10 0

  WP–Hailey Sanders (14-2, 7 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 12 K, 1 BB). LP–Ella Pierce (12-3, 6 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 2 K, 3 BB). HR–U: Maddie Pierce. 2B–LM: McKenzie Kissel. SB–LM: Emilee Salek, Kylee Sanders. LOB–U: 1; LM: 8.