VAN METER — The fifth-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond softball team went toe-to-toe with a defending state champion here on Saturday at the Van Meter Tournament.

After taking a 3-1 lead into the fourth, the Gaels were unable to hold off No. 1 (3A) Williamsburg, falling by a final of 7-3. They rebounded with a 5-3 victory over North Central Conference rival Humboldt to end the day 1-1.

In the win over the Wildcats, senior Faith Shirbroun connected on the 29th home run of her St. Edmond (13-3 overall) career, tying her with Josie (Heesch) Harvey for the school’s career lead. Shirbroun was 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI vs. Humboldt, adding a double.

“I thought we really gave Williamsburg everything they could handle,” SEHS head coach Bill Shirbroun said. “We just had that tough inning in the fourth and they took advantage.

“That is a quality team with a winning pedigree.”

Toryn Helle, Breckyn Ulrich and Rihanna Myers combined to limit the Wildcats to six hits, striking out a total of four. Helle had three of those strikeouts, adding a hit and a run scored at the plate.

Sophia Schlienz was 2-for-3 with a run scored and Ella Vandi had a hit, an RBI and stole two bases.

For the Wildcats, Sadie Hubbell, Hayden Graaf and Adalee Nolting each had two hits, with Hubbell and Graaf driving in a run.

Jade Rock was 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored vs. Williamsburg, as Shirbroun added two hits with an RBI. Myrah Lemon and Ulrich both had two hits and scored a run each, as Helle drove in a run.

St. Edmond will host Iowa Falls-Alden on Monday night for a conference doubleheader beginning at 5:30 p.m.