Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Winterset players celebrate their Class 4A state softball title on Thursday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Molly Breeding made North Scott pay and the Winterset softball team successfully defended their Class 4A state title here Thursday night at Rogers Park, 5-3.

After a walk to Neela Applegate in the fifth, Breeding socked a two-RBI single that found a gap and rolled to the outfield fence. She also handled being mixed and matched with fellow pitcher Brynn Acton throughout the night, combining to record seven strikeouts.

“It feels amazing,” Breeding said. “I just knew I had to take advantage of my chance and get the job done. I had to do it for my teammates.”

North Scott, which returned its entire lineup from a third place finish last year, was playing the odds in walking Applegate, as the sophomore had a solo home run the inning before.

With a mostly new cast, Winterset knocked off both No. 2 Carlisle and third-ranked Fort Dodge during the week, quickly building confidence and momentum after navigating a schedule that featured 12 state qualifiers.

The championship is the fifth for Steve Corkrean, who won his 700th career game in the semifinals this week. This is the fourth time the Huskies have claimed the crown since 2017.

“We lost a lot from last year, but many of us watched that team and those players so we knew what it would take,” Breeding said. “We just like to go out and do our jobs. We don’t try to do too much.”

Makenna Olson was 3-for-4, while Avary Darlin, Jena Young and Breeding each had two hits. Young, the player of the year a season ago and a highly-touted recruit, returned to action this week after suffering a knee injury during basketball. She spent the last seven-plus months recovering from her torn ACL.

Winterset broke the all-time five-class record with 44 hits over three games, including 13 in the title round. The previous mark was set by Johnston in 2014 with 39.

In the fifth, Sydney Skarich gave North Scott a 2-1 lead when she scored on an error by the Winterset defense. Skarich, who had two hits and scored twice, is the daughter of former St. Edmond track and field coach Paula Skarich.

The Lancers were seeking their fourth state title all-time and first since winning the 3A crown in 2002. The other two titles came in 1987 and 1993.

WINTERSET 5, NORTH SCOTT 3

North Scott 000 110 1 — 3 5 0

Winterset 000 221 x — 5 13 1

WP–Molly Breeding (2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K). LP–Maddy McDermott (6 IP, 13 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K).

HR–W: Neela Applegate. RBI–NS: Shelby Spears, Khylie Wainwright; W: Neela Applegate, Ashlynn Devine, Molly Breeding (2), Brynn Acton.