Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Southeast Polk's Jesslyn Stairs celebrates her home run against West Des Moines Valley on Monday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Southeast Polk has something to prove.

The Rams (31-9 overall) didn’t need to show they belonged, though. This was for purely selfish reasons.

The fourth-seeded Rams have made three straight state tournament appearances, but in the previous two seasons, they’ve come up short.

Last year, fifth-seeded West Des Moines Valley (34-9) ended the Rams’ run, but on Monday in the first round of the Class 5A tournament, the Rams exacted revenge with a 5-2 victory.

“We knew we drew a tough opponent in Valley,” said SEP head coach Tia Stiles. “We have a lot of respect for them.

“I thought our kids did an awesome job at the plate and in the field.”

Southeast Polk will now face top-ranked Ankeny Centennial (34-5) at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Kruger Seeds Field.

“Jayda (Long) did great in the circle, keeping them off-balance,” Stiles said. “Sydney (Potter) and Kendall (Woods) had some big hits, and Jesslyn Stairs’ home run helped kill the momentum.

“Our seniors really stepped up.”

The Rams pounded out 10 hits, led by Woods’ three. Potter, a senior, had two, while the sophomore Stairs delivered a big two-run home run.

“It feels amazing,” Potter said. “We know we are capable of winning here.”

Long (19-5) allowed eight hits in the circle, but kept the Tigers in line by surrendering only two earned runs. Long is one of seven senior regulars in the SEP lineup.

“We are in uncharted territory as a team,” Long said. “We haven’t won in two years, so it feels awesome to advance to the next round.

“Our fans have been amazing and are with us every step of the way.”

Kari Rose led the Tigers at the plate, going 3-for-3. Anna Eastin had two hits and drove in a run. Reese Cooley also drove in a run.

The Tigers will now face Bettendorf (29-11) on Tuesday at 11 a.m. on Dodger Field.

SOUTHEAST POLK 5, WDM VALLEY 2

Valley 002 000 0 — 2 8 1

SE Polk 101 120 x — 5 10 0

WP–Jayda Long, 7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO; LP–Anna Eastin, 3 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO; LOB–Valley 7, Southeast Polk 8; 2B–SEP: Kendall Woods; HR–SEP: Jesslyn Stairs; S–Valley: Ireland Broderick; RBI–Valley: Eastin, Reese Cooley; SEP: Stairs (2), Long, Sydney Potter.