Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Van Meter hoists the Class 2A state championship trophy on Friday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

For Van Meter, it was the same script — just a different person in the lead role.

Ava Hohenadel sent the Bulldogs to the Rogers Park baseball field winner’s circle with a walk-off shot in the bottom of the eight to beat third-seed West Lyon (30-2), 8-7 in eight innings.

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” Hohenadel said. “I was just looking for a pitch to drive and put in play, I knew my teammates would come through.”

It was deja vu for the Bulldogs, as the two seasons culminated in similar fashion. Hohenadel drove in last year’s hero, Mady Schnell, in the semifinals to advance to the state championship.

Last season, Van Meter had clutch performances in both the semifinals and finals. A year ago, then-eighth grader Mady Schnell hit a walk-off home run in the semifinals and hit the eventual game-winner in the bottom of the sixth in the championship tilt.

“We have a flair for the dramatics,” said Van Meter head coach James Flaws. “These girls have won so much, and they know how to win.

“We had another great moment.”

Hohendadel gave the second pitch of the at-bat a ride, sending the bench storming for home plate to help celebrate the school’s second consecutive crown.

It was Hohenadel’s only hit of the contest. She had two home runs and five hits in the 2025 state tournament, garnering her an all-tournament selection.

Hohenadel slugged 11 home runs this season.

Schnell was 3-for-5 with two RBI in this contest. Halle Karaidos had two hits.

Finley Netten, the Class 2A all-tournament team captain, drove in a run for Van Meter, as did all-tournament teammate Cali Richards.

Nelson had four hits and an RBI in the three games. Bianca Prickett had an RBI as well.

“This means everything to us,” Richards said. “With all the ups and downs of the season and in the tournament, our team has been able to step up.

“The entire team.”

Flaws has seen his dad accomplish a lot on the softball field through the decades. On Friday, the son did something his dad, Jim, has only done one time.

James’ father Jim Flaws has won six state championships at Carlisle, going back-to-back once (1996 and 1997, also in 2A).

“I know I’ve said this before, but state softball has always been a family vacation for our family,” James said. “Our family comes up here and watches.

“I saw him (Jim Flaws) coach for years, and I picked up plenty from his system. It’s just a cool family experience for us at state.”

James Flaws led Van Meter into the state championship round three straight seasons, winning two straight.

“This means a lot,” Hohenadel said. “Our program just keeps going.”

The Bulldogs won 25 in a row to close the year.

West Lyon, which was playing in the state tournament for the first time in 21 years, had 11 hits. Future Iowa Central pitcher and infielder Jersey Hawf had a three run home run for the Wildcats.

Leah Blauwet had three hits and an RBI, while Ella Langenhorst had two hits and drove in a run. Reese Kramer and Lucy Doorneweerd also drove in runs.

West Lyon built a 4-3 lead after three innings. Van Meter tacked on three in the fourth for a 6-4 advantage and built a 7-4 edge.

Three Wildcat runs in the sixth, though, tied the contest.

VAN METER 8, WEST LYON 7 (8 innings)

West Lyon 103 003 00 — 7 11 5

Van Meter 120 310 01 — 8 13 2

WP–Bianca Prickett (6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO); LP–Jersey Hawf (7 IP, 13 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 5 BB, 6 SO).

LOB–West Lyon 7, Van Meter 11; 2B–WL: Ella Langenhorst; 3B–VM: Finley Netten; HR–WL: Hawf, Ava Hohenadel; SACF–WL: Lucy Doorneweerd; SACB–VM: Aniston Netten; SB–VM: Marah Karaidos, Finley Netten (2).

Multiple hits–WL: Leah Blauwet (3), Ella Langenhorst (2); VM: Mady Schnell (3), Halle Karaidos (2); RBI–WL: Hawf (3), Langenhorst, Blauwet, Reese Kramer, Doorneweerd; VM: Schnell (2), Netten, Cali Richards, Hohenadel, Bianca Prickett.