Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: The St. Edmond softball team celebrates its state tournament berth after Monday’s regional final win over Remsen St. Mary’s at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The seventh-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond softball team made history here Monday night at Rogers Park.

Behind a resounding 11-5 victory over Remsen St. Mary’s in a regional final, the Gaels secured a spot in the state tournament for a third consecutive time. No previous St. Edmond team had qualified three years in a row for annual tournament in Fort Dodge.

The Gaels (24-10 overall) will now face No. 3 Wapsie Valley back here next Tuesday night in the quarterfinals at 7:30 p.m. on their home field.

Toryn Helle, a freshman who earned the win inside the circle with five strikeouts, delivered a two-run homer in the second following a five-run first.

Junior Faith Shirbroun and senior Ansley Oswald each had three hits, as Oswald drove in two and Shirbroun scored twice with two steals. Mariah Myers, a University of Iowa commit, was intentionally walked all four times, scoring three runs with three steals.

“These girls showed a lot of resilience — not only (Monday night), but throughout the season,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “Toryn pitched a great game. Credit (Remsen St. Mary’s), as their two homers were just really good hits. I didn’t think our defense backed her as well as they have, but we made plays when we needed them.

“I’m just really proud of the girls for achieving this goal, and very excited to see what we can do next week.”

Lauren Gibb delivered the first key hit of the game, scoring both Shirbroun and Myers on a double in the opening inning. Oswald had her first RBI two batters later, and eighth-grader Rihanna Myers knocked in two with a single to make it 5-0.

The Hawks (16-8), who eliminated No. 10 Akron-Westfield in the regional semifinals to advance, again walked Mariah Myers in the second. This time, Helle made them pay for it with a two-run homer — her third of the season.

“We were able to really cause some problems for their defense on the bases with our speed,” Shirbroun said. “Toryn’s homer was big there because we didn’t want to strand Mariah after the walk.”

Remsen St. Mary’s got its first hit in the third and subsequent runs on a two-run homer by leadoff hitter Grace Galles, as Josie Schwickerath followed with three scoreless innings.

With a 7-2 lead and needing just four outs to advance, St. Edmond hit a little trouble. Freshman Hallie Bunkers hit her third home run of the season and Lana Jungers had a two-run single to make it 7-5.

The Gaels, though, answered with four runs in the sixth, as both Sophia Schlienz and Oswald drove in runs.

“I thought we did a nice job of answering them, especially there in the sixth,” Shirbroun said. “I never really felt like we were in any real sense of danger, but it was good that we ended the game with a strong inning at the plate.

“This lineup is very tough to keep down and I thought we showed that (Monday night).”

Completing the 1A state field will be top-ranked Wayne vs. Highland, No. 5 Riverside vs. sixth-ranked Newell-Fonda and No. 2 Clarksville vs. ninth-rated Mason City Newman.

ST. EDMOND 11, REMSEN ST. MARY’S 5

RSM 002 003 0 — 5 9 2

St. Edmond 520 004 x — 11 11 0

WP–Toryn Helle (15-5, 7 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 5 K, 0 BB). LP–Josie Schwickerath (12-4, 6 IP, 11 H, 11 ER, 1 K, 5 BB).

HR–RSM: Grace Galles, Hallie Bunkers; SE: Toryn Helle. 2B–RSM: Mia Matgen (2); SE: Lauren Gibb, Faith Shirbroun. RBI–RSM: Grace Galles (2), Hallie Bunkers, Lana Jungers (2); SE: Lauren Gibb (2), Toryn Helle (2), Sophia Schlienz, Ansley Oswald (2), Rihanna Myers (2). SB–SE: Faith Shirbroun (2), Mariah Myers (3).