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Algona ends on high note

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Ashlin Young of Algona catches a fly ball against Davenport Assumption during class 3A quarterfinals on Monday

The Algona softball team has created momentum for themselves moving forward.

After making a surprising run to the Class 3A state tournament, the Bulldogs finished off their season with a 5-4 victory in the consolations over No. 5 Albia at Rogers Park Tuesday.

Not many expected Algona (18-11 overall) to make it this far, but head coach Jackie Fonley believed — as did her players.

“This will only help give the girls confidence going into next year,” Fonley said. “And that’s not just in softball. So many of them play other sports and being here at state, that will help them grow as athletes.”

Laura Wegner scored the game-winning run against Albia after Morgan Erpelding put a ball into play that the defense couldn’t field. Erpelding is one of just three seniors on the roster alongside Abby Groen and Nicole Smidt.

Kameryn Etherington, a junior pitcher, earned the win, improving to 14-9 on the year. She struck out two and worked around eight hits. Etherington was 1-for-2 with two RBI at the plate.

Lily Elsbecker, the niece of former Fort Dodge athletic director and former Dodger baseball coach Matt Elsbecker, also drove in two runs.

Alyssa Hentges, Smidt, Lillian Etherington and Emma Elsbecker (also the niece of Matt Elsbecker) each recorded a hit.

Brooklyn Helmers, Ashlin Young, Smidt and Emma Elsbecker all scored.

For the Lady Dees (27-6), Jena Lawrence drove in two runs, and both Kennedy Schroeder and Rylee Leshen had two hits each.

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