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FORT DODGE — Van Meter could not dig itself out of an early hole against Wahlert Catholic in a 7-2 loss to the Golden Eagles during Day 2 of the Iowa high school state softball tournament on July 21.
The Bulldogs fell in an early 3-0 hole and could not make up the difference. They made a valiant effort, making it 3-2 after Aniston Netten hit a leadoff double and scored all the way from second on a bunt by Delanie Lyftogt in the top of the second and adding a run in the fourth when Netten singled and eventually scored on a squeeze bunt from Ashlan Small.
But the Bulldogs could not get over the hump. Relief pitcher Jillian Wosmansky threw 4 2/3 innings down the stretch, but Wahlert Catholic put one run on the board in both the fourth and fifth innings and added two more in the sixth to pull away.
"They jumped on us early, so we had to make a pitching change there, and credit to them, they did a good job getting on top of the ball and the first pitch," said Van Meter coach James Flaws. "They just got timely hitting. It seemed like every time they needed a big hit, they got it."
It was the first state tournament loss in three years for the Bulldogs, who won back-to-back 2A state championships in 2024 and 2025.
Wosmansky gave up four runs on eight hits with one strikeout and no walks. Netten took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks, with one strikeout. Netten was excellent at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, steal and two runs; Brooklynne Piller also finished 2-for-3 and Ella Fennessey, Marah Karaidos and Ashlan Small each had one hit for the Bulldogs.
"We learned we can compete," Flaws said. "I thought we battled really well at the plate. A lot of confidence, still, in the team that we have. We've just got to regroup and get back at it tomorrow morning."
Thanks to the new double-elimination format, Van Meter's title hopes are not done. The Bulldogs (33-7) will face Albia in a rematch of Monday's first round, a game they won by a comfortable 10-2 margin.
Wahlert Catholic (37-6) advanced in the winner's bracket, where it will face the winner of Van Meter and Albia.
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Van Meter falls to Wahlert Catholic at Iowa state softball tournament
Continue reading...
The Bulldogs fell in an early 3-0 hole and could not make up the difference. They made a valiant effort, making it 3-2 after Aniston Netten hit a leadoff double and scored all the way from second on a bunt by Delanie Lyftogt in the top of the second and adding a run in the fourth when Netten singled and eventually scored on a squeeze bunt from Ashlan Small.
But the Bulldogs could not get over the hump. Relief pitcher Jillian Wosmansky threw 4 2/3 innings down the stretch, but Wahlert Catholic put one run on the board in both the fourth and fifth innings and added two more in the sixth to pull away.
"They jumped on us early, so we had to make a pitching change there, and credit to them, they did a good job getting on top of the ball and the first pitch," said Van Meter coach James Flaws. "They just got timely hitting. It seemed like every time they needed a big hit, they got it."
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It was the first state tournament loss in three years for the Bulldogs, who won back-to-back 2A state championships in 2024 and 2025.
Wosmansky gave up four runs on eight hits with one strikeout and no walks. Netten took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks, with one strikeout. Netten was excellent at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, steal and two runs; Brooklynne Piller also finished 2-for-3 and Ella Fennessey, Marah Karaidos and Ashlan Small each had one hit for the Bulldogs.
"We learned we can compete," Flaws said. "I thought we battled really well at the plate. A lot of confidence, still, in the team that we have. We've just got to regroup and get back at it tomorrow morning."
Thanks to the new double-elimination format, Van Meter's title hopes are not done. The Bulldogs (33-7) will face Albia in a rematch of Monday's first round, a game they won by a comfortable 10-2 margin.
Wahlert Catholic (37-6) advanced in the winner's bracket, where it will face the winner of Van Meter and Albia.
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Van Meter falls to Wahlert Catholic at Iowa state softball tournament
Continue reading...
