Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: The St. Edmond softball squad will be making its third state tournament appearance in as many seasons on Tuesday night at Rogers Park. Team members are, front row (left to right): Sophia Schlienz, Faith Shirbroun, Grace Schlegel, Keirsten Schumacher, Greenlee Crimmins, Ella Vandi and Jade Rock. Back: head coach Bill Shirbroun, Lizzy Tiernan, Ansley Oswald, Myrah Lemon, Lauren Gibb, Toryn Helle, Olivia Andrew, Mariah Myers, Breckyn Ulrich, Rihanna Myers, assistant Delainey Bargfrede and assistant Brian Maxson. Not pictured: Hadley Oswald and assistant Bill Myers.

It has been a steady progression for St. Edmond softball under Bill Shirbroun.

Now, the Gaels feel like it’s time to finish the climb.

Seventh-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond makes its program-best third consecutive trip to state beginning at Rogers Park Tuesday vs. No. 3 Wapsie Valley. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Iowa Central Field, which is the home for the program during the regular season.

Three years ago, the Gaels (24-10 overall) were coming off their best season in nearly a decade, having reached the regional semifinals before a tough upset loss to Mason City Newman.

In 2023 it all came together, as they made it to state and dropped a nail-biter to eventual runner-up Martensdale-St. Marys, 1-0.

Expectations grew going into 2024. Mariah Myers entered the lineup as a true power bat to complement established stars Lauren Gibb and Faith Shirbroun.

St. Edmond won 26 games, including notching a victory at state, before falling in another instant classic to Martensdale-St. Marys in the final four, 2-1.

With eight of nine returning starters back this summer, the goals have stretched even higher for the Gaels, who look to bring home the first girls championship in school history. They are making the eighth appearance in the state softball elite eight all-time.

“We have grown a lot as a team this year and I’m proud of every single girl in the dugout,” said Myers, who will head to Iowa City and play softball for the Iowa Hawkeyes in the fall. “I can’t wait to see what state will bring.

“All the girls have worked hard. It feels great to be back at the state tournament.”

This marks the fourth trip to state for Myers, who helped Fort Dodge claim gold as an eighth-grader and was on the runner-up team the following year. She did not play high school softball as a sophomore before returning to the field with St. Edmond and her dad, Bill, as an assistant.

On the year, Myers leads all of Iowa in on-base percentage (.787) and walks (53), while sitting fourth in slugging (1.338) and sixth in batting average (.620). She has recorded 11 home runs, 10 doubles and four triples, driving in 35 with 54 runs scored and 42 stolen bases.

Gibb, also a senior who will suit up for Iowa Central to play softball, is hitting .551 with 22 extra-base hits, 43 RBI and 31 runs scored, adding 32 steals. Shirbroun, a junior committed to Keiser University in Florida, has a .434 average with six homers, 14 doubles, 32 RBI, 48 runs and 35 steals.

“When you have a top of the lineup like that, it definitely gives you plenty to work with,” Coach Shirbroun said. “But we’ve had several girls throughout the season step up in key situations and deliver.”

Two of those are also seniors in twin sisters Ansley and Hadley Oswald. Veterans of the diamond, both are hitting over .300 with 13 combined extra-base hits. Ansley has driven in 28 with 14 steals; Hadley has recorded 15 walks.

Freshman Toryn Helle has stepped into the circle to replace veteran ace Kaili Henning — the lone starter lost to graduation. Helle has been as steady as they come down the stretch, sporting a 15-5 record with 100 strikeouts and a 2.15 earned run average. She’s also hitting .347 with three homers, six doubles and 23 RBI at the plate.

Sophomores Sophia Schlienz and Myrah Lemon, along with eighth-grader Rihanna Myers, complete the lineup. Schlienz is batting .370 with 22 RBI, 21 runs scored and 15 steals. Lemon has a .305 average with 20 RBI.

The younger Myers has scored 22 runs with 14 steals and a .926 fielding percentage at second base.

St. Edmond secured its bid to state with a win at home over Remsen St. Mary’s. The Gaels have gone 14-1 this year at Rogers Park, with the lone loss coming to ranked 3A state qualifier Estherville-LC by a 2-1 count. All three postseason games to date were also played at home.

“With it being my senior year, losing and not going to state was not an option,” Gibb said. “We all wanted it and we were able to prove that over the last couple of games.

“We are all focused on the outcome of doing our jobs and are ready to prove what we can do. I’m so excited to be back at the state tournament, and can’t wait to show the state of Iowa more from the St. Edmond Gaels.”