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Gaels stun No. 5 Mustangs

—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla St. Edmond eighth-grader Ella Vratny helped lead the Gael softball team to an upset of No. 4 Newell-Fonda on Wednesday night in Fonda.

FONDA — Jocy Timmerman never hesitated.

Timmerman snagged a hard-hit liner by Newell-Fonda’s Kate Christiansen at first base and delivered a dart to Erin Flattery at third, completing a game-ending double play and giving St. Edmond a stunning 8-6 come-from-behind victory over No. 5 Newell-Fonda here Wednesday night in eight innings.

The Gaels (11-17 overall) will now face Exira-EHK back here on Friday night in a Class 1A, Region 3 semifinal at 7 p.m. Exira-EHK (16-10) defeated Audubon, 8-4.

Timmerman, a freshman first baseman, had no second thoughts when it came to starting the third double play of the game for her team.

“Without a doubt,” she said. “I knew it was in my glove. Coach (Nick Clark) always talks about not hesitating and for me, that was what it was all about. I didn’t hesitate and I just did it.

“I knew if they were going to make a change (on the ruling), they were going to have to make it because I was going to finish the play. That’s not my fault what they call. I did exactly what my coach told me to do.”

Newell-Fonda (27-11), which has made qualifying for state a routine over the years, challenged the decision, but both officials ruled the call would stand. That set off a wild celebration for Gael players, coaches and fans who made the short trip over.

“I’m just so happy for these girls,” said Clark, who is in his first season as SEHS head coach. “I know I’ve said it all year but I truly believe we are playing our best softball right now — which is what we wanted. We earned a big win on Monday (over Coon Rapids-Bayard) and we got another one here over a great Newell-Fonda program.”

Down 6-3 entering the top of the seventh, Timmerman and Rylee Kinney both reached on walks by Olivia Larsen. That set up Sydney Nelson for a RBI double, while eighth-grader Kacey Kruthoff followed with a sacrifice that made it a one run game.

Sydney Engels, another eighth-grader, came around to tie it on a passed ball.

“We just had so many incredible performances from everybody,” Clark said. “Kacey with a huge at-bat, Jocy and Rylee working those walks and our leaders like Megan (Flattery) and Erin (Flattery) getting us on the board early.

“It really is just about having a belief in your players and I have that with each and every single one of them,” Clark said. “I know they can accomplish anything and they showed that (Wednesday night).”

After Ella Vratny retired the Mustangs in the seventh, St. Edmond went right back to work. Kinney, a freshman, singled in Jacque Oberg and pinch-hitter Chloe Lewison fouled off several pitches before doing the same to plate Timmerman.

Vratny again went right back out to the circle, as the eighth-grader pitched around singles to start the inning. Vratny finished with six strikeouts against just one walk. She also started that first game vs. Newell-Fonda back on May 22, allowing 17 hits and walking five.

“This was just big for Ella,” Clark said. “In that first game, she was right around 50-50 in terms of throwing balls and strikes. (Wednesday) she got ahead of hitters and really controlled much of the game. Our defense did a great job of backing her up, too.

“Kacey just continues to get better behind the plate and Ella is growing into a great pitcher. They have both stepped up this year as eighth-graders.”

Erin Flattery finished 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI, while Megan Flattery was also 2-for-4 with a double and drove in a run. Kinney had two hits and also reached on a walk.

For the Mustangs, Olivia Larsen was 3-for-3 with four stolen bases and two runs. Maggie Walker, an eighth-grader, delivered a key bases clearing double in the fifth, while Ella Larsen had two hits.

Timmerman, the younger sister of former Gael standout Lily Timmerman, watched as St. Edmond placed third two years ago. Now, she wants to feel that experience herself.

“I was at every game that year,” she said. “I want that feeling. We are such a close bunch. Coach calls us the biggest 16 and the closest 16 out there. Our team aspect is so great. We trust each other and that is what makes this feel amazing.”

ST. EDMOND 8, NEWELL-FONDA 6 (8 inn.)

St. Edmond 002 001 32 — 8 10 2

Newell-Fonda 200 031 00 — 6 9 0

Ella Vratny (W, 6-12, 8 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 6 K, 1 BB) and Kacey Kruthoff; Olivia Larsen (L, 17-6, 8 IP, 8 ER, 10 H, 9 K, 2 BB).

2B–SE: Erin Flattery, Megan Flattery, Sydney Nelson, Kacey Kruthoff; NF: Maggie Walker. RBI–SE: Erin Flattery (2), Megan Flattery, Rylee Kinney, Sydney Nelson, Chloe Lewison, Kacey Kruthoff. SB–NF: Olivia Larsen (4), Megan Morenz, Ella Larsen. LOB–SE: 2; NF: 5. DP–SE: 3.

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