Carlisle fights off North Polk
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Anyah Oatts was the hero for Carlisle in the seventh inning -- twice.
A spectacular catch first preserved a 2-2 tie in the seventh.
With two outs in the bottom half of the seventh, Oatts then drove in pinch runner Chloe Prenoosil for a 3-2 Wildcat victory over seventh-seed North Polk (20-17) on Monday at Rogers Park in Class 4A state action.
"That was a really good hit," said Carlisle head coach Jim Flaws, who has won 1,328 career games. "She came up with the big play in the outfield and then did it at the plate.
"Situations like that are great because it keeps the season alive for us and the seniors."
The Wildcats (34-5 overall) won the state championship in 2024 earned a spot in the Class 4A semifinals.
"I have to give North Polk credit -- they are a great team," Flaws said. "We weathered the storm. I told the girls they were going to have a good inning, and we were able to get out of that."
Carlisle will face third-seed Fort Dodge at 5 p.m. Tuesday on Channel Seeds Field.
Ella Smith had the big hit for the Wildcats with a solo home run. She had two hits on the day.
"Our motto is to just stay level -- whether we are winning or losing," Smith said. "We don't get too high or too low, then just do our job."
Chloe Roling also had two hits and scored a run. Mallie Stone, who pitched all seven innings also drove in a run.
Stoner (20-4) went the distance, allowing four hits and one earned run. She struck out four.
"We have all the confidence," Stoner said. "This was such a great game and it means so much to us to advance."
For North Polk, Madelyn Klever had a solo homer. Ava Koudelka also scored.
The Comets will face Clear Creek-Amana (31-12) on Tuesday at 2:45 p.m. on Channel Seeds Field.
CARLISLE 3, NORTH POLK 2
North Polk 002 000 0 -- 2 4 0
Carlisle 100 100 1 -- 3 7 0
WP--Mallie Stoner (20-4, 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO); LOB--North Polk 3, Carlisle 6; 2B--NP: Tessa Dillinger, Harper Lincoln; C: Rosemary Hemsted, Akyvia Freeman; HR--NP: Madelyn Klever; C: Ella Smith; SAC--C: Anyah Oatts; SB--NP: Audrey Lucas, Ava Koudelka; C: Chloe Roling, Akyvia Freeman, Anyah Oates; RBI--NP: Madelyn Kelver; C: Anyah Oatts, Mallie Stoner, Ella Smith.