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Central Springs dominates

Ever since making an appearance at the Fort Dodge Invitational back in June, Central Springs has been untouchable.

The Panthers pushed their win streak to 13 in a row with a convincing 11-0 victory in five innings over Underwood here Monday evening in the Class 2A state quarterfinals at Rogers Park.

With the win, Central Springs (30-6 overall) advances to face North Linn in the semifinals back here Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. on Iowa Central Field.

For Belinda Nelson, the win served as an early birthday present. The Panther head coach will be celebrating Tuesday while staying with her team at Iowa Central.

“It’s exciting,” she said. “We played well. We took advantage of what they gave us.”

Nelson also noted the importance of having played at Rogers Park earlier this year.

“I feel like it really helped,” she said. “The girls knew the field and the dimensions, and kind of where balls would go.”

At the Fort Dodge tournament back in June, Central Springs topped Ankeny before falling to Muscatine and Winterset. They finished off the event with a victory over fellow state semifinalist Newell-Fonda, 2-1, and have continued to move right along towards a return to Rogers Park.

Seven shutouts have happened during the recent win streak, as the Panthers punched their state ticket for the seventh consecutive time with a 2-1 win over South Hardin in the regional finals. They have scored over 10 runs 23 times on the season.

Cooper Klaahsen allowed just two hits and two walks, striking out eight for her 22nd win of the year. She also dove in a pair of runs.

Underwood (26-4) saw its three-game win streak come to an end. The Eagles will face Iowa City Regina in the consolation round on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. on Veterans’ Field.

CENTRAL SPRINGS 11, UNDERWOOD 0 (5 inn.)

Underwood 000 00 — 0 2 3

Central Springs 263 0x — 11 11 0

Ella Pierce (L, 23-4, 4 IP, 11 H, 9 ER, 1 K, 3 BB) and Maddie Pierce; Cooper Klaahsen (W, 22-2, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 8 K, 2 BB) and Madisyn Kelley.

2B–CS: Kaylea Fessler, Abby Pate, Cooper Klaahsen. RBI–CS: Kaylea Fessler, Abby Pale, Lizzy Hamand (2), Madisyn Kelley, Aurora Stapleton (2), Kiley Hanft (2), Cooper Klaahsen (2).

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