Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Williamsburg head coach Adam C. Berte, a Twin River Valley graduate and former Iowa Central baseball player, hoists the 3A championship trophy and celebrates with his players on Friday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Adam C. Berte already knew all about Fort Dodge, but he is becoming more and more familiar with his former stomping grounds.

Berte, a standout baseball player at Iowa Central under Rick Sandquist and Rick Pederson, led his Williamsburg Raiders to a second consecutive state title on Friday.

The Livermore native and 2004 Twin River Valley stood on the baseball field he used to call home at Rogers Park following his squad’s 12-9 victory over Davenport Assumption in the Class 3A title tilt.

“It feels just like home in Fort Dodge,” Berte said. “I’m just trying to soak it all in. I’m a great fan of this community, and the success of this tournament is a reflection of Fort Dodge.

“I grew up around here all the way through my days at Iowa Central. It’s always great to come back.”

The Raiders (33-12 overall) pounded out 14 hits en route to the win over traditional power Assumption (27-13) on Channel Seeds Field. Williamsburg is familiar with the winner’s circle, as they were the only defending champion in this year’s field.

“It’s just so hard to put into words what this means,” Berte said. “Does it feel different (than 2023)? I’m not sure, but we had to win in a different way.”

Williamsburg has been to the state tournament five straight seasons and seven times overall. The Raiders also placed second in 2020 and third in both 2021 and ’22.

Williamsburg didn’t waste any time getting back to work in Fort Dodge, exploding for six runs in the first inning and never relinquishing the lead. The two big blows came for all-tournament captain Taylor Sanchez and Makenna Hughes. Sanchez had a two-run single and Hughes smacked a two-run double.

Sanchez had a brilliant day, going 2-for-4 with five RBI and two runs scored. Sanchez ballooned the Raiders’ edge to 11-3 with a three-run bomb in the fourth inning, giving Williamsburg what looked like an insurmountable advantage.

“Our team is extremely resilient,” Sanchez said. “Our one through nine hitters can hit the ball. We were prepared for this game and knew that we wanted to come out strong.”

“We know that anything can happen here. We never want to take anything for granted.”

The tourney veteran Knights, who were in the finals for the fourth straight year, wouldn’t go away quietly, plating six straight runs to get within 11-9. In their nine state trips, Assumption has been in the finals eight of nine times. Molly Roe hit a three-run triple to draw Assumption within two.

Alley Gorsh was perfect at the plate for the Raiders, going 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Taylor Pitlick had two hits and scored twice.

Hughes added two hits and two RBI. Shannon Finn drove in two runs.

It was a team effort in the pitching circle, as Jersey Metz (23-6 overall) earned the win, while sophomore Sloane Curtin picked up her third save of the season.

“Jersey has been dominant all year long,” Berte said. “We had to switch some things up to get a different look, and Sloane was able to provide that.”

Roe, who suffered the loss in the circle, had two hits and four RBI.

For the Knights, Sophia Caudle was 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Addie Williamson had two hits, two RBI and two runs.

WILLIAMSBURG 12, DAVENPORT ASSUMPTION 9

Assumption 020 060 0 — 9 9 0

Williamsburg 602 310 x — 12 14 1

WP–Jersey Metz (23-6, 4.33 IP, 7 H, 9 ER, 6 BB, 3 SO); S–Sloane Curtin (3 S, 2.67 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO); LP–Molly Roe (6 IP, 14 H, 12 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO); LOB–Assumption 4, Williamsburg 4; 2B–DA: Molly Roe, Addie Williamson (2); W: Taylor Pitlick, Makenna Hughes, Shannon Finn; HR–W: Taylor Sanchez; HBP–W: Kalon Spratt; SACF–DA: Marissa Boynton; SB–DA: Kathryn Snyder (2),Sophia Caudle (2), Allie Casel, Laura Lippincott.