It was the moment of truth for the Van Meter softball team.

The Bulldogs had just seen a seven-run lead almost completely evaporate in the sixth inning of a Class 2A state semifinal game on the Iowa Central Field at Rogers Park Wednesday night.

Jitters led to misplaced throws and a 10-3 lead against Central Springs became a 10-9 advantage.

Coach James Flaws walked to the pitcher’s circle, gathered his team and did his best to calm them down. It worked, and the Bulldogs held on by that same 10-9 count to return to the Class 2A state championship game for the first time since winning it all in 2016.

“We gathered the girls and all of them said we’re not letting this one get away,” said Flaws. “We made some bad plays and some mistakes, but we put together just enough runs to win. I can’t say enough about our resilience. Our pitcher really overcame some things that we did.”

Van Meter (36-5) will get a rematch with defending state champion Iowa City Regina in Friday’s 5 p.m. championship game on Krueger Seeds Field.

Regina eliminated the Bulldogs in last year’s quarterfinals by a 6-5 count. Van Meter actually had a 5-2 lead in that game heading into the fifth inning before Regina rallied.

“We really wanted to get them again,” said junior Maddie Waldorf, whose three-run homer in the fourth inning ended up being the difference in this one. “They way they came back last year, we wanted them again.”

Waldorf and pitcher Macy Blomgren each belted three-run home runs. Blomgren’s shot came in the bottom of the first to make it 3-0. Waldorf’s home run gave the Bulldogs a 10-3 lead after four innings.

But Central Springs, which fell to Regina in last year’s semifinals, didn’t go away quietly.

The Panthers (26-6) put together a six-run rally in the top of the sixth, capitalizing on three errors by Van Meter. Aurora Stepleton belted a three-run double in the frame as well.

But Blomgren was able to get a strikeout to end the frame after the Bulldogs gathered in the circle.

“I really don’t remember what coach said,” admitted Waldorf. “We were just looking so nervous. Coach said to stay focused.”

After plating three in the first, Van Meter added four more in the third inning to counter single runs by Central Springs in the first three innings.

Van Meter also lost a chance at more runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. They had a runner doubled off second base after a fly to right field to end the fourth inning and then they had two different runners thrown out at third base in the bottom of the fifth.

“We made some mistakes we just need to clean up,” said Flaws. “We were able to adjust and got just enough runs.”

Blomgren was able to set Central Springs down in order in the top of the seventh, fanning two of the three batters.

Central Springs will play for third place today at 3:30 on the Iowa Central Field against Interstate 35.

VAN METER 10, CENTRAL SPRINGS 9

Central Springs 111 006 0 — 9

Van Meter 304 300 x — 10

LOB–Central Springs 7, Van Meter 5. ERR–Cooper Klaahsen (2), Cali Richards, Lauren Wallace, Katie Vaught, Halle Karaidos. 2B–Lainie Bouillon (2), Aurora Stapleton, Lizzy Hamand, Abby Pate, Macy Blomgren, Finley Netten. HR–Maddie Waldorf, Macy Blomgren. HBP–Aurora Stapleton, Azaria McDonough, Lauren Wallace. SACB–Aurora Stapleton, Ellyan Ryan, Azaria McDonough, Cali Richards, Ella Reimers, Destiny Sparks (2), Maddie Waldorf. SB–Maddie Waldorf, Finley Netten. PB–Cali Richards (2).