Schlader, Waukee Northwest pass first test
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As the defending Class 5A state champions, Waukee Northwest has played with a giant target on its back all season long.
The top-ranked Wolves took a key first step toward defending that title here Monday, besting Pleasant Valley on Triton Field, 4-1. They will now take on No. 4 Dallas Center-Grimes Tuesday at 1:15 p.m.
Sophia Schlader, the captain of the tournament a year ago in 5A, struck out nine batters and allowed just three hits. The sophomore is ranked as one of the top players in her class in the country, showing why with a double to start a four-run first.
"We've come out with a target on our back all year long," Schlader said. "I've felt that since my eighth-grader year because we are Waukee Northwest. I think we've just learned to play under the pressure because our team comes together.
"My team was great behind me, as (Pleasant Valley) hit a lot of groundballs; I couldn't have done it without them."
Alayna Schulte finished with two hits and a run scored, as Kenley Sanger, Hazel Leinen, Leela Appeldorn and Meredith Thomsen each drove in a run for Waukee Northwest.
"We're so closely bonded and we know we have each other's backs," Schulte said. "With this being my fifth year, the nerves have come down a little and I feel a little less anxious, but it is still nervous (playing at state)."
Schulte is one of three senior starters for Waukee Northwest, who also won 5A in 2022.
Pleasant Valley's lone run came courtesy of an RBI by Maggie Bowman, as she drove in Ruby Stagg. The Spartans will play fifth-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy in an elimination game at 11 a.m. Tuesday.
WAUKEE NORTHWEST 4, PLEASANT VALLEY 1
Pleasant Valley 000 001 0 -- 1 3 0
Waukee NW 400 000 x -- 4 6 1
WP--Sophia Schlader (26-0, 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 9 K 1 BB). LP--Macyn Bischoff (14-7, 6 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 0 K, 2 BB).
2B--WN: Sophia Schlader, Shay Davis. RBI--PV: Maggie Bowman; WN: Kenley Sanger, Hazel Leinen, Leela Appeldorn, Meredith Thomsen. SB--WN: Alayna Schulte (2), Claire Martins, Maya Twigg.