Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Lauren Hagedorn of ADM celebrates her home run in a Class 4A state softball quarterfinal contest at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Madi James understands the pressure of playing at Rogers Park and the state softball tournament.

The fifth-year senior for ADM has been here each summer since making the roster as an eighth-grader, including a pair of runner-up finishes during that time. On Monday, she made a big impact, scoring the go-ahead run as the Tigers earned a spot in the Class 4A semifinals with a 4-1 victory in nine innings over Dallas Center-Grimes.

ADM (28-8 overall) advances to take on Pella (23-12), who stunned No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier, 5-1, Wednesday at 10 a.m. on Channel Seeds Field.

James, a five-year letterwinner for the Tigers who helped them win the 3A state track title in the spring, doubled to start the ninth after the two teams battled to a draw through eight. Sophomore Makenna Pitlick drove her in with one out, as ADM added two more insurance runs to seal the deal.

Lauren Hagedorn, a junior who has committed to Iowa State, pitched a four-hitter, striking out eight with a solo home run herself in the sixth that tied the game. Hagedorn, the starter inside the circle last year, overcame multiple injuries to return to form, including a back issue that flared up earlier this softball season.

“I actually haven’t pitched a full seven-inning game this year,” Hagedorn said. “It was really exciting to get back and I am just so grateful I could complete this one.”

“I have been in this positive five times now and this is what we have prepared five years for,” James said. “It is just so important that we stay focused, stay level-headed and bring that energy.”

Dallas Center-Grimes (33-8) got its lone run on a Jenah Gray solo homer in the first. Gray, a sophomore, set the school record earlier this year and now has 18 homers on the season.

Tessa Jones also went the distance, striking out seven. The Mustangs will take on Xavier on Tuesday at 10 a.m. on Yankee Field in a consolation contest.

ADEL-ADM 4, DALLAS CENTER-GRIMES 1 (9)

ADM 000 001 003 — 4 8 0

DC-G 100 000 000 — 1 4 1

WP–Lauren Hagedorn (9 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 8 K, 1 BB). LP–Tessa Jones (9 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 7 K, 1 BB).

HR–ADM: Lauren Hagedorn; DCG: Jenah Gray. 2B–ADM: Madi James, Makenna Pitlick. RBI–ADM: Lauren Hagedorn, Makenna Pitlick; DCG: Jenah Gray. SB–DCG: Delaney Fetters, Jenah Gray, Paisley Heidgerken.