Class 2A — Wapsie Valley vs. Grand View Christian

Funding provided by --

Pella Windows and Doors help bring your home to life. For more than 100 years, Pella has been dedicated to building a brighter future in Iowa communities. Pella Corporation is a proud supporter of Iowa PBS.

Fareway Meat and Grocery. For more than 80 years, Fareway has been proud to be an active part of the communities we serve. Learn more at fareway.com.

With our Iowa roots and Midwestern values, Farmers Mutual Hail is committed to offering innovative farm insurance for America's farmers, just as we have for six generations. Farmers Mutual Hail, America's crop insurance company.

Musco Lighting is honored to support Iowa PBS, where an Iowa company that lights local schools, community fields and stadiums, arenas and venues in more than 125 countries. While our reach is global, our commitment is local.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC]

Welcome to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and a beautiful night at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex. Iowa PBS is here to bring you girls state softball. Its five championship games over two days. And it all starts with class two A. The third seeded Wapsie Valley Warriors and the number one overall seed in class two A the Grand View Christian Thunder. As we get ready to hand out a trophy, she is Aly Cappaert. I am Brad Wells and Aly. Being in a state championship game has been a long time coming for both of these teams.

In both these teams took very different routes to get here to this championship game on Thursday night, Grand View Christian lost their first game on Monday. They have fought their way all the way back. On the other side Wapsie Valley. They are three and zero coming into this game.

A double elimination format will have more on that coming up. Right now. Let's learn more about our two teams here in this two. A title game for the Wapsie Valley Warriors. They were here last year that ended a 47 year drought. Now they're in the championship game.

And it starts with Taylor Burr in the circle both defensively and offensively. She is their spark plug over 350 career strikeouts. She's going to continue her career at Simpson College next year. And their bats. Freshman Espyn Decker leads the team, but they have some hot bats that have hit well this week.

All right, for Grand View Christian, their first trip to the state softball tournament, how about a school record? 31 wins.

It's crazy what this team has been able to do. Like I said, drop their first game on Monday. They have hit seven home runs this week alone. They have six starters hitting for 38 or higher. Their entire roster, one through nine, can hit the ball with power.

All right, sunny skies here. Some lovely clouds as Fort Dodge is treating us to 79 degrees on the thermometer. The fans are loving it. And just that nice soft breeze. Aly that keeps the bugs away, keeps the fans cool, keeps the announcers cool. The players, they are ready to go play for a class two, a state championship. As they hit the lines, we send it up top to our public address announcer Tim Fitzpatrick.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC]

Good evening Softball fans, and welcome to Rogers Sports Complex in Channel Field for this two. A championship game between the Wapsie Valley Warriors. And the Grand View Christian Thunder.

[APPLAUSE]

It's time to meet our teams. Let's first of all meet the team from Wapsie Valley. Here are your Nonstarters number zero Emerie Parkes. Number five Tessa Brunscheon. Number seven Makayla Gothard. Number nine Autumn Kress and number 14 Kelly Voy. Your assistant coaches are Tiffany Drali and Nick Curley. Now here's your starting lineup for the Warriors of Wapsie Valley. Leading off and playing left field number 18 Lola Destival batting second, doing the pitching. Number two Taylor Booher batting third in center field. Number eight Espyn Decker clean up hitter for the Warriors at first base. Number 12. Maddie Ladeburg, batting fifth, playing shortstop. Number one Sawyer Booher, batting sixth at third base. Number three Gracie Sebetka batting seventh, doing the catching. Number ten Maiah Barnes batting eighth. The designated player number 29. Lila and batting in the ninth position, playing second. Number 13 Emerie Shannon and your flex player in right field. Number 26 Harper Destival.

[APPLAUSE]

Head coach for the Warriors. Austin Jeanes.

[APPLAUSE]

And now let's meet the home team from Grand View Christian. Here's the Thunder. Their nonstarters number three, Avery Pelham. Number 14 Lydia Larwick. Number 17 Eperlie Weitzel. Number 20 Massie Rogers. And number 21 Presley Cramblit. Your assistant coaches, Chris Murphy and Shannon Pelham. Now here's your starting lineup for the Thunder of Grand View Christian leading off playing shortstop. Number two Livy VanDerSluis batting second, playing catcher double zero. Maiah Murphy batting third at third base. Number five Sophie Bird, cleanup hitter for the Thunder doing the pitching number one Chloe Cox batting fifth at first base. Number ten Harper Rosado batting sixth. The designated player. Number 24. Grace Kruse batting seventh at second base. Number seven. Leighton Beemer batting eighth in center field. Number 15. Morgan Pelham embedding in the ninth position. The right fielder. Number eight. Jada Rogers. And your flex player playing left field. Number four Macy Brooker, head coach for the Thunder Krista DeMeulenaere.

[APPLAUSE]

And now, fans, if you please, turn your attention to the home plate area, I'd like to introduce our empires for this two day championship as assigned by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union at first Base. Gary Wax at third base, Mr. Casey Conover and calling the balls and strikes today, Mr. Jim Doyle fans at this time, please face the flag off to your right in the center of the Commons area as we honor America and all the veterans who have so proudly served the men and women around the world, protecting our freedom each and every day, and this great country that we've called home for 250 years, our national anthem.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [APPLAUSE]

Thank you.

[APPLAUSE]

All right.

[APPLAUSE]

Who's ready to win a state championship?

[APPLAUSE]

IGHSAU kid of the game.

It all comes down to this. The Wapsie Valley Warriors, the three seed and the Grand View Christian Thunder. Here's a look at the Grand View Christian defense as we take a look across the outfield. Brooker. Pelham. Rogers and third base. Sophie Bird VanDerSluis at short Beemer. The second baseman. Rosado at first. Maiah Murphy is behind the plate and in the circle it is Chloe Cox, the sophomore Aly.

Chloe Cox has had an outstanding season so far in a great state tournament. She had a long day yesterday for the Grand View Christian Thunder coming into the state tournament, though over 100 strikeouts on the year, she has been the workhorse for this team.

All right there you see. First baseman Harper Rosado as she leads the defense out onto the field to just a freshman behind the sophomore pitcher Chloe Cox and final words of encouragement from Coach DeMeulenaere. And there you see Cox the sophomore 19 and two with a 1.80 earned run average over 100 strikeouts on the season, 41 walks. And here at the state tournament has really had some fantastic outings in the last game of the day yesterday, she threw the full seven innings, gave up just two runs on five hits, had a strikeout and a walk. Here's a look at the Wapsie Valley batting order led off by Lola Destival Taylor Buhr and Espyn Decker Aly. Both of these teams have an offense that has that ability to put up big runs in any inning.

And they've both been carried by big rallies throughout this state tournament. The ability to put up big innings for Wapsie Valley the defense does it shut down this Grand View Christian offense, and we ready. That is the song they listen to on the way here. They are ready to play today for Grand View Christian new bracket. No problem. They played the games. They have worked their way back and here they are. And they need to score. Early. Yesterday they kind of waited till the end of the game to put up the runs. I'd like to see them attack early today.

Destival gets us started. Freshman left fielder.

[APPLAUSE]

Has a hit in each game here at the state tournament. And a double in the opener against Logan Magnolia. A double on Tuesday against Ridgeview and scored two runs yesterday in the win over Logan Magnolia as Wapsie Valley threw this double elimination tournament. They have played the least amount of games necessary, winning all three of their contests to get to the title game.

And especially important, that means one game a day, no days, where they were playing multiple games. They were one and done. Each of the days of this state tournament. That is a big difference maker. When you get here late in the week.

And there's a strike delivered by Cox.

[MUSIC]

Here from both of these coaches. Offensively, they like their batters to be patient. They seem relaxed, ready to attack. Swing and a miss.

First two pitches that Cox threw. Missed the plate on that inside corner. These last two has found the release point attacking the zone.

[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]

Cox trying to strikeout gets Destival out looking for the first out of the game.

Just a great pitch by Chloe Cox. She goes back to that inside corner. An absolutely paints it right at the waist. Nice pitch by Chloe Cox.

And she hasn't stacked up a ton of strikeouts here in Fort Dodge, but an excellent start as she now gets ready to face Taylor Booher.

I tell you what pitcher versus pitcher battle here. But both of them, while they're in the circle, they are going to throw to contact. We're going to see a lot of balls in play in this game. And that's where the defense is going to step in.

There's one in shallow center that's going to get down for the first base hit of the game, courtesy of Taylor Buhr.

And Taylor Buhr. Nice job there. Hit it where they are. Not the right handed hitter punching that ball out into right center. Not overpowering, but perfect placement off the bat of number two.

So Booher at first base and Espyn Decker comes to the plate. Decker 65 career RBIs, looks at a first pitch strike.

[APPLAUSE]

Chloe Cox. She will try and work ahead in the count. As much as possible. That one's outside one and one. The count.

One, two.

Something to point out here for Grand View Christian Chloe Cox. Only a sophomore. This team has a ton of youth, especially here in the battery. Very important for the future of this team.

Pop fly into center field. Morgan Pelham is underneath it and there is two away here in the top of the first.

[LAUGHTER]

Maddie Platner.

Pelham the senior out there in center with a couple underclassmen in left and right. Maddie Ladeburg.

[MUSIC]

The batter, now a senior for this Warriors team.

[APPLAUSE]

Maddie Ladeburg will continue her softball career planning to go to Hawkeye Community College, play softball, and then go to college and get into radiology technician studies.

And Maddie definitely the power source of this Wapsie Valley offense. Yesterday had an at bat. The ball kind of dinged her up a little bit, right on the hand. She was able to come back into the game, but that was kind of a moment. Wapsie Valley fans were holding their breath.

Here's the one one changeup down in the dirt and on the move to second, Booer gets a stolen base and it's two balls, one strike. We take another look. She was going right away.

Yeah, on that one. Full send. Going straight to second. Helped out by the pitch in the dirt. Didn't even need to slide into second. But playing all the way was Steil two.

Here's the 212 Ladeburg fouled straight back.

That'll wake us up.

Right back to our announcing spot. Good reflexes. Two balls, two strikes.

Ladeburg had that timed out perfectly. Anytime you're following the bat, the ball straight back like that, she has it timed up.

And that hits Ladeburg right on the leg. And Wapsie Valley with a second base runner.

[LAUGHTER]

And when Chloe Cox has missed, it's been on that outside corner. That one you see gets away from her. TikTok squares up Maddie right in the leg.

So beautiful.

She takes a moment to stretch out out there. I don't blame her. That was some square contact right in the thigh.

You mentioned her getting hit yesterday. You also mentioned her power. How about this Maddie on Senior night? Nonetheless, she went three for four Aly. She had two Grand Slams in the same inning and then had another two run home run. Her six home runs on the season. Half of them came on Senior Night.

, an eight RBI inning.

[LAUGHTER]

Yeah, 11 runs driven in in the contest. And the Grand View Christian catcher Maiah Murphy keeping an eye on Ladeburg trying to catch her sleeping with Booer ahead of her at second base. Sawyer Buhr. The younger sister to Taylor is up to bat, hit into center field and off the glove of Pelham and that will score one run and Ladeburg around third will stay there in R.B.I.

[APPLAUSE]

for Booer as Pelham unable to make the play.

Just the line shot right at Pelham in center field. Sometimes the toughest ball to play. She gets. She gets caught bringing a step in goes right off the glove. But how about the contact off the bat of Booer squaring that ball up? That is the power Wapsie Valley wants to see here early in the first.

First air of the game comes here in the first inning, and now Gracie Sebetka is the batter. Wapsie Valley junior third baseman.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

A nice pitch there by Cox. Dial it right back in. She knows she has two runners in scoring position. Very important for her right now to stay close to the zone.

Sebetka a hitter that can hit it in any direction on the field.

[APPLAUSE]

And there's a called strike on the outside corner. One ball, two strikes. Sebetka two for four on Tuesday. Scored two runs against Ridgeview. Here's the one two and that's dead ball will redo it.

One, two.

Sebetka. Also on the Wapsie Valley basketball team, her and a few other teammates. Lola Destival. Maiah. Barnes. Who's on deck? Here's a grounder to the right side. Nice play at second by Leighton Beemer. But Wapsie Valley scores a run on a hit and an error in the top of the first inning. As we talked about.

Three. Ready? One, two.

Let's take a look at the starting defense now for the Wapsie Valley Warriors you have Destival and Decker in left and center and Harper Destival eighth grader in right field. Sebetka at third. Sawyer. Buhr and short Shannon at second. Ladeburg at first base behind the plate is Maiah. Barnes and Taylor Buhr. The senior in the circle for this Wapsie Valley defense. Some youth that's. Freshman freshman in the outfield, the left field and center field. Eighth grader in right. And there's a look at Taylor Buhr, the senior 12 wins an E.R.A under two runs per game and leader in terms of innings pitched and strikeouts.

And what a season she's had. She's really the leader for this team offensively and defensively. The senior leadership. Is so, so important. But only 73 hits allowed on the season. She really limits that number. This Grand View Christian offense is going to be a big challenge for her today.

And we take a look at that. Thunder batting order.

[APPLAUSE]

Lilly VanDerSluis will try and get it started. Maiah Murphy. Sophie Bird. Chloe Cox. They all had to come through in the clutch in their second game of the day yesterday against Iowa City Regina, where they played four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to win 4 to 2. And punch their spot into this championship game. First pitch from Booher. This is the zone.

And this Grand View Christian team is just not a team that gets rattled when they are behind this one. Nothing ball game to them is no big deal. They know their offense is going to go to work throughout this game.

VanDerSluis seniors going to play softball at the University of Northwestern Saint Paul. Slapper with some great speed. And Buhr gets a strike. After two balls to start, just as Chloe Cox did in the top of the first couple pitches to shake the nerves.

The nerves of a state championship game slightly different than the rest of the state tournament. But I'll tell you what this Grand View Christian offense. They have had plenty of at bats this week. Playing five games to make it here to the championship.

That's a base on balls for Livy VanDerSluis. And the lead off. Runner aboard.

For Maiah Murphy, who now comes to the plate. VanDerSluis with three stolen bases. Tuesday against Hinton, another stolen base yesterday against Regina in Game two. First pitch to Murphy is low snap. Throw over to first to check on VanDerSluis.

VanDerSluis making use of that sliding mitt right away, diving her way back into first. She is fast on the bases.

Here's the one zero. She's on her way to second. The throw is off in time.

[APPLAUSE]

Oh, and safe at second.

[APPLAUSE]

A bang bang play.

And what a great slide by Vandersloot. She knows that throw has met her at the bag. She slides in towards the back and the tag just misses her.

Barnes an excellent throw from that catcher position. Here's a grounder left side of the infield. Buhr goes across the diamond for out number one to retire. Murphy as Vandersloot advances to third.

A very productive out for Maiah Murphy moves her runner over. That is a job well done in Grand View Christian. Looking to bounce right back from the one run deficit.

[APPLAUSE]

So with one out and a runner on third, Sophie Bird, the freshman third baseman, comes to the plate, shows bunt as Vandersloot is not fully committing to heading home, but was ready if that bunt went down.

A little bit of safety squeeze action here in the first. Not going all in quite yet, but smart base running at third.

[APPLAUSE]

And evens the count at one and one.

A bit of a raindrop. One, two.

Nice pitch in there. Curveball slides in for strike two. And it's one and two.

I tell you what, neither of these pitchers are going to bring a ton of velocity at these hitters, but their ability to spin it in that ball just dropped right out underneath the bat of Bird. Nice pitch.

One two missing outside. Even the count at two and two.

Very.

But off the plate, bat a ball or two outside competitive one two pitch though. I mean, you want to see if you can get the hitter to chase.

See what Bauer does on the two two. This is popped up. It's going to stay in the deep infield and it's actually going to be Decker from center field. And the tag and out at home. VanDerSluis gunned down at the plate by Decker.

[APPLAUSE]

The tag by Barnes and Wapsie Valley gets out of the jam here in the first.

And how about this? The throw in from center. The tag at home plate Wapsie Valley is fired up after the first.

Well, we've talked about the energy of the state tournament, the energy of the championship game. It is here and there have been some significant changes to the Iowa Girls State High school softball tournament this year. And here's our own Paul Yeager with the double elimination details.

This year, the girls state softball tournament adopted a hybrid double elimination format leading up to the title game in round one, eight teams play in round two. The winners from round one play each other, while the losers do the same. Round three sees the loser between the round two winners play the winner of the round one. Losers who battled it out in round two in round four. The winner of the round two's winning teams takes on the winner of round three. But if the round two winner loses and both teams have one loss, the same teams play again in round five to determine who goes to the class title game. However, if they win, round five is not necessary and they automatically advance to the championship where the winner takes all.

[MUSIC]

Aly. That was a pretty good explanation and let's put it now into real terms. Here's how the class two A bracket worked out as you mentioned, up top you have Grand View Christian falling down in that loser's bracket. Played two on Tuesday, two on Wednesday. Wapsie played the minimum one game a day. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. You win all three. You're in the championship game.

In eight teams, two completely different sides of the bracket, two completely different stories here in the championship game, it is clear as mud, but it is as fun as ever.

You know what? The very first year of the double elimination format and you know you're going to have some confusion, maybe some complaints, or just unsure of how it's going to work. But I like it. It gets in line with what the NCAA does with Women's College World Series, and that has just exploded in popularity. You have a lot of softball that has a double elimination type of format.

Aly. Yeah, overall, great feedback on the double elimination format. Slight difference between high school and college. In college, you actually changed sides of the bracket. So you're playing different teams. That is kind of the one piece of feedback we heard this week of a lot of teams playing the same teams multiple times throughout the week, but I'd say that's a pretty minor thing with how fun of a week of action it has been.

Here's a bunt put down by Maiah Barnes the throw over to first. Oh, great cover by Beemer. The freshman. Just getting there and there's one away. Barnes put down a bunt.

Well executed both sides of the ball. I'll tell you what. That's one Maiah Barnes. A lot of times this season I'm sure has beat out at first base, but state championship game here, state championship defense by Grand View Christian. Well played.

Layla Armstrong. Looks at a first pitch ball. Armstrong freshman DP patient with some power. According to head coach Austin Jeanes. Who's in your number five coaching this Wapsie Valley softball team?

As a coach, you love to see that your young players are able to go up and hit with some patience, have a calm presence in the box. That's something you really can't teach. So if you're bringing young athletes in who already have that, you can teach the mechanics everything else. As a coach, how they see the ball and balls versus strikes. That is a natural knack for an athlete.

Layla Armstrong at the plate. She had one heck of a Tuesday. She was three for three with two RBIs in the win over Ridgeview. 119 was the final on Tuesday for the third seeded Wapsie Valley Warriors. Here's the two. One. Swung on and missed and it's two and two.

[APPLAUSE]

One. No one.

That one's fouled straight back.

Nice pitch by Cox going outside corner. Armstrong able to foul it right back to the backstop. But Cox really just shooting both sides of the zone right now.

Another two two delivery for Cox. And a swing by Armstrong comes up empty. And the second strikeout of the game for Chloe Cox.

Impressive rise ball for Cox in the circle. I mean she was able to get a big jump on that ball. You'll see a replay of it here going above the hands. Great strikeout pitch.

So Emerie Shannon to the plate. Freshman second baseman.

[APPLAUSE]

First pitch. Strike.

Grand View Christian in a slap defense. They actually have their second baseman Leighton Beemer playing very shallow. Even with Chloe Cox in the circle.

The bunt rolls foul back behind the plate. Murphy grabs it in foul territory. Coach Jeanes says Shannon is a first year slapper with really good speed and a great bunter. Just a technique that you can pick up sometimes. Maybe when you're younger, take a right handed batter with some good speed. You can make him a lefty slapper.

Speed and hand-eye coordination. It can be taught. Those are the two things that can't be taught.

Another strikeout for Cox as she gets Shannon. That is her third strikeout of this game. As we head to the bottom of the second inning here in this two, a championship game. Well, there is nothing like ballpark food unless you bring the Iowa State Fair into the bullpen, then it's a whole new ball game now. Paul Yeager was able to preview some of the new foods coming to the fair this year, and was able to vote on his favorites. Catch his insights and a cornucopia of other video stories during our coverage of the Iowa State Fair. Now, at 8 p.m. And 9 p.m. Nightly. That's August 17th through the 22nd, only on statewide Iowa PBS and online at Iowa PBS dot ORG. This is gonna make you hungry. Aly.

Roll some apple pie. A lot of things. And not only did he have the food, he had the exact spot to where they were going to be on the fairgrounds.

He's got everything all dialed up. We'll stay connected with Iowa PBS sports. No matter where you're watching from. Join the conversation. Follow us on Facebook and X and use hashtag Iowa PBS sports to enjoy high school sports and other fans.

[APPLAUSE]

So Chloe Cox, after putting down her third batter courtesy of the strikeouts in the top of the second inning, she will lead off the bottom of the second inning.

Grand View Christian in the bottom half of the first, had some momentum going early. Base runner the fly ball into center, and I love that they're aggressive early in this game. They have such confidence in this offense that they're going to put up runs.

There's a.

In center field by the freshman.

And she caught that almost exact same location to end the first. She has been on the run. That is a big logo. The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has in center field. And she just covered the whole thing.

Look at that. That is a beautiful field. Excellent job by the staff here in Fort Dodge at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex. They have this thing looking just beautiful. Harper Rosado is the batter. One down for Grand View Christian Rosado hit one of seven home runs that this Thunder offense has produced here at the state tournament.

This Thunder team relies so much on their senior leadership, but some of the young spots in this lineup really show a strong, strong future for this team, and Rosado is one of those players. As you mentioned, the home runs this week, nine home runs coming into the state tournament. She is one you are excited to have on your team.

Swing and a miss now. Two balls and two strikes as Taylor Booher. Dialing in here in this second inning.

[APPLAUSE]

Rosado extra base hits here at the state tournament. Three doubles and a home run for the freshman first baseman. This is her first at bat in the state championship game. Count runs full. Buhr delivers Rosado hits it into center field and back to make. The catch is Decker for out number two.

And Decker has been busy out in center field. A sure glove for Wapsie Valley out in center in Grand View Christian has to be encouraged here. Three balls in a row, dead center of the field. I mean that's. That means they have it timed up right there, getting just underneath it right now. You expect them to make an adjustment here, but they have it timed up very, very well. Another ball towards center.

And Grace Kruse is going to be able to drop that one in front of Decker for a Grand View Christian base hit.

Beemer.

Grand View Christian spray chart right now is one line.

And that's the first hit of the game for Grand View Christian. Coming here off the bat from Kruse, a two out single and a first pitch swing. And what a snag at first. By Ladeburg. Oh, the senior for Wapsie Valley just stole a base hit away from Leighton Beemer. Flashing the leather at first base. Maddie Ladeburg headed to Hawkeye Community College to play softball. All right, Wapsie Valley will be in the batter's box when we come back. They're facing Chloe Cox. Here's a look at the sophomore pitcher in slow mo.

Chloe Cox. The tall, right handed pitcher. You'll see her stride out. Huge stride means more power, more ability for spin. And that is something Chloe Cox does so, so well. She has spun it and stayed on both corners of the zone. Standing Chloe Cox.

Three strikeouts here in the first two innings.

Yeah, impressive so far, but only a sophomore. I mean this is a big, big stage for a young pitcher. And she has handled this week so so well. This Grand View Christian team five games that they had to work through to get to this stage. And she has handled the pressure with ease and has not gotten rattled in the circle at all.

Well, I was speaking with her mom, Heather, who's in the stands here behind home plate, and I talked to Heather before the game today, said, mom, how are you feeling? She said, I feel great, I feel calm, I feel great. She's in the white visor right there. Heather played at Southeast Polk and she is. Chloe's catcher, sits on the bucket and credits pitching coach Rich Thomas. They've been working with the last two years. Says Chloe has grown a ton. Fundamentals and she knows everything too. She says Chloe's got to get stacked. She's got to stay, come over the toe. And she has seen big improvements in her rise, ball and drop ball over the last 12 months.

Rich Thomas, a great pitching coach in central Iowa, his daughter, Chelsea, was a star at Missouri. And I mean, I tell you what, he coached her and he's coaching a lot of these athletes now. But you can see it in the mechanics. Just very, very well coached.

It's fouled away by Lola Destival.

One two.

At the top of the order here to lead off the third inning for Wapsie Valley. Destival struck out in her first at bat and one ball, two strikes is the count. This one is hit to the right side and that one is booted by Beemer and the lead off runner aboard for Wapsie Valley.

And you can see off the bat of Destival. This ball had a wicked spin to it and Beemer just overruns it. With that spin. You have to expect that ball's going to bounce back towards center. A tough hop.

, and they're going to call it an infield single. That did take a tough hop on Beemer. So Booher the batter with a runner aboard Taylor Buhr, a single and her first at bat, hit one into shallow center field. Destival with a stolen base on Monday against Logan Magnolia. Two balls, no strikes here to Taylor Booher.

And Wapsie Valley. Right now we are still early in this game, just the third inning. But they feel this as a chance to add some insurance runs. They know how important that is as Grand View Christian office attacks late in games, back to back base runners here.

Through the left side of the infield. Destival trying to take third. She does and coach gives her the option to go home if she wants. She will stay put at third. A single for Booher, a hard hit ball here.

Very hard hit ball. She gets her hands out front, able to drive the hard ground ball in. Smart, smart baserunning here. Lola Destival sees the bobble in left field takes advantage. Run through coach's stop sign and Coach Austin Jeanes has to hit the deck to get out of the play.

So Wapsie Valley cooking here in the third inning with their first two runners aboard and now both in scoring position, time called for a defensive meeting. Well, we've talked about big innings for both of these teams. How about Wapsie Valley? They're not afraid of coming back, getting some runners going. A five run fifth inning on Monday against Logan Magnolia, a five run first inning on Tuesday against Ridgeview and then two two run innings against Logan Magnolia on Wednesday to secure their third win. This is hard hit left field back goes Brooker and Brooker unable to make the catch.

[APPLAUSE]

It scores one and it's going to score two.

[APPLAUSE]

Wapsie Valley builds on their lead here in the third.

And on a ball that looked like it was going. I mean off the bat it really looked like it had a shot at going over the wall.

[APPLAUSE]

Then it looked like it was going to be the sacrifice fly. And then for Grand View Christian, things went a little sideways. Wapsie Valley able to capitalize and add the insurance runs. And great baserunning Wapsie Valley both Destival and Buhr tagging ready to advance as soon as that ball is caught.

Decker stands at second. Two runs driven in on that deep ball to left. It will go down as an error on Brooker.

[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC]

And so Maddie Ladeburg steps in Wapsie Valley a three run lead and nobody out here in the third.

[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]

Ladeburg hit by pitch in her last at bat. That one was close, right? Right by her shins.

High fly ball, right field. Rogers is underneath. It makes the catch tagging from second Espyn Decker advances to third. That's the first out of the inning as Ladeburg able to move Decker.

In. Picture perfect softball there by Ladeburg going out into right field runner on second base. You want to see a ball to the right side. She does exactly that to advance her runner.

[APPLAUSE]

And this is a base hit.

[APPLAUSE]

Just fair down the left field line. And it gets away from Brooker and into second base and rounding second is Sawyer Buhr.

[APPLAUSE]

That's an RBI double.

[APPLAUSE]

In Sawyer, Buhr here sees changeup. First pitch slightly out ahead of it. It doesn't matter. That ball lands in fair territory and Wapsie is rolling.

Maiah Murphy out to have a chat with sophomore pitcher Chloe Cox.

[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]

Wapsie Valley three runs here in the third.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC]

One.

[APPLAUSE]

That one misses upstairs.

[LAUGHTER]

Gracie Sebetka grounded out in her first at bat.

And the first time through this order. Chloe Cox had three strikeouts. This Wapsie Valley team has made the adjustments, and not only are they making contact, they've made hard contact here through the second time through.

Two misses outside. Snap. Throw down to second back safely is Booher.

[APPLAUSE]

And the three zero. Catches the inside corner.

Nice pitch by Chloe Cox not giving it up. Right down the middle. Paints the inside corner.

We're at second Sebetka at the plate and the three one misses. Low and inside and Sebetka aboard for the first time tonight. And there's two on as Maiah Barnes comes to the plate.

Maya Barnes.

[APPLAUSE]

Maya Barnes. The senior. Laid down a bunt in her first at bat and talk about kids that will do whatever their coach asks them to do. Shows bunt here puts a bunt down and hit her in the leg, but she was still in the batter's box. That's going to go down as a foul ball.

Yeah. And Maiah Barnes that one was close. And that bunt, she's trying to push it more towards the first base side with runners at first and second advance. That runner over to third, it's tough as a hitter. You're running towards first. The ball is going there and that one you see hits her right on the kneecap while she was still in the box.

The reason I bring up Barnes putting the bunt down. She had a home run on Tuesday and a triple on Wednesday, but whatever it takes, a swing and a miss. And now no balls. Two strikes on Barnes.

Once you get the triple, you kind of feel like that state tournament cycle is in reach right?

Just a double shy. Cox delivering the zero two and that is in play for Rosado in foul territory and runners unable to advance.

Exactly what Grand View Christian needed right there. An unproductive out. Keep the runners where they're at. And now two down. Force that bag in the infield.

And Layla Armstrong. Up to bat with a four run lead. Two outs now for Wapsie Valley first pitch swinging Cox got her to chase one up.

[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]

Armstrong just a freshman RBI on Monday and Tuesday trying to come up with one in the state championship game. That one rolls foul and now no balls. Two strikes.

And a big inning so far for Wapsie. They would love to see at least one more across the plate. Grand View Christian is a team. Just no lead. Feels safe.

[LAUGHTER]

Here's the zero two this is hit out into right field and underneath it to make the catch is Jada Rogers the freshman. But three runs on three hits for Wapsie Valley here in the third. As the Grand View Christian Thunder will try and answer. Coming up here in the bottom of the third as they are facing Taylor Booher. Here's a look at the senior pitcher for the Warriors.

Who are the Simpson College commit can really spin that ball. You see on the release of that pitch. She's going side to side with the movement. It's been the rise ball in this game as well. It starts and ends with her. She is the leader of this team offensively and defensively. But really what she does in the circle is what's so so impressive. And coming into the state tournament era of 162, she is not going to give up a ton of runs. This is a tall task for Grand View Christian but calm, cool. Collected in the circle.

And don't miss a minute of today's action. Catch the live stream on YouTube and Iowa PBS.org. If you have some family from outside of the state, let them know we are online and we are coming to you live from Fort Dodge, Iowa alongside Aly Cappaert, the Iowa State Great and Ankeny product. I am Brad Wells and it's 4 to 0. Wapsie Valley the three seed with the lead over the top seeded Grand View Christian Thunder.

[APPLAUSE]

Brewer gets the strike as Morgan Pelham leads things off. 891 coming to the plate here in the third for the Thunder.

This Grand View Christian lineup one through nine. They have the power they hit for an average. There are no weak spots, so Taylor Buhr. It's going to be tough this entire game. That one right off her knee. Good recovery. Unable to make the play.

[APPLAUSE]

But that goes to my point. I mean we're eight spot in the lineup. They're hitting with power.

The deflection off the pitcher. Great job by Sebetka from third to make the throw over to first. But excellent baserunning. You see Pelham hit the front part of that safety base. So the lead off runner aboard here for Grand View Christian in the third and Jada Rogers. Now the batter.

The bright pink safety base. I love it.

[LAUGHTER]

Snap. Throw down to Barnes or from Barnes the senior down to Ladeburg.

[APPLAUSE]

Bunt attempt by Rogers.

[APPLAUSE]

Rogers. Another freshman in this lineup, a great season. I mean, she's put together a 382 average coming into the season or into the state tournament. Excuse me. Very impressive for the young athlete.

Here's a pop fly playable for Barnes. The catcher makes a tough catch but gets the out.

[APPLAUSE]

Catch by Maya Barnes.

So Rogers is retired and we go to the top of the order. Livy VanDerSluis, the shortstop comes up with one out and a runner aboard. Pelham is at first a leadoff single. Buhr misses outside.

VanDerSluis is looking for her first official at bat of this game. She was able to reach by way of walk in the first and her speed is so, so important to be on base.

Slap left side Buhr the throw to first, not in time. That is the speed you're talking about.

[APPLAUSE]

Speed on first and second right now for Grand View Christian the heart of this lineup coming up. Perfect slap from the left side. You want to go straight into the dirt. That's exactly where the ball goes. Gets the high hop. No chance.

Oh no. Here we go.

Grounder left side. This is Sawyer. Buhr tries to flip to third and in there safely is Pelham.

[APPLAUSE]

And that's a force play too.

[APPLAUSE]

But the speed on the bases right now Grand View Christian feels like they have something rolling.

How about Pelham here? She starts that dive about ten feet away from the base. She knows she's going to have to get there as quick as possible.

Fielder's choice for Maiah Murphy, who is at third as the bases are loaded for Sophie Bird, the freshman third baseman for the Thunder, she has hit two home runs this week at the state tournament. Takes a full swing and this one fouls out of play.

In. Her first at bat was just underneath it. That fly out into center field started the long line of balls hit dead center. But the swing is right where she needs it to be. Just got to find top half of the ball right now.

Bases loaded for the Thunder. Well struck to left field. This is deep. And this is gone. Sophie Bird touch them all.

A grand slam to tie up the game. Bottom of the third. Grand View Christian said. Don't call us the comeback kids. They are in it every step of the way. A 4 to 4 ball game.

[APPLAUSE]

What a shot. Towers over the trees. Out in left a no doubter.

[APPLAUSE]

And that is state championship softball.

And that hit out into left field. That goes over top Grand View Christian head coach Krista DeMeulenaere. His family and grandkids did watch from the outfield fence. Chloe Cox is now the batter first pitch strike to Cox.

I think something to point out here. Grand View Christian has not had the best game. Defensively, they have struggled a little bit defensively to sit here now in the bottom of the third, and it's a zero zero ball game. Again, that is a good feeling. If you're Grand View Christian right now to know that you have a clean slate to clean it up here the rest of the game and be right in it.

Coach's daughters, grandkids. Is the one one to Cox grounder to Booher. The throw over to first is in time. Clean play by the sophomore shortstop.

Well played. After the home run, get the quick out. Keep the bases empty.

So Harper Rosado will come to the plate with two outs and nobody on. A grand slam from Sophie Bird here in the third as is tied at four four. First pitch strike two Rosado from Taylor Booher.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

This is hard hit. Deflected off of Ladeburg and that's a fair ball as it rolls down into the right field corner. Rosado around second into third with a stand up triple and Rosado. Keeping the rally going.

This Grand View Christian lineup firing on all cylinders right now. The heart of the order. Put that in. No doubt. Triple.

[LAUGHTER]

Yeah. You don't see that very much in softball with the shallow fences making her way all the way around.

And now Grace Kruse. She comes to the plate. First pitch is upstairs. You want to talk? Triples. Grace Kruse, the senior DP. She had her first triple of her career yesterday, an RBI in the sixth inning of Regina's win.

And a neat thing here at the state tournament. That home run ball being delivered to Sophie Bird's family in the crowd. That is a moment they won't forget.

Here's the two zero to Kruse fouled away. Two balls and a strike. Now.

[LAUGHTER]

I have a feeling the girls high School athletic Union has given a lot of softballs as souvenirs this week. They've given eight to Grand View Christian.

Yeah, seven coming into this championship game. And that's the biggest of them all that you just saw moments ago from Sophie Bird. The Grand Slam. Driving in all four runs. Here's the three one fouled straight back. Count is full now on Grace Kruse.

A great at bat here. Deep in the count. She has the runner in scoring position swinging at the right pitches. So far.

Rosado at third. That pitch down in the dirt. Good stop by Barnes. But now runners on the corners for Grand View Christian.

Likely going to see the flex player here. Come in to run the bases. The beauty of that DP flex get some extra speed on the base pass.

Ten read ten.

And Maci Brooker, the left fielder in to run for Kruse. At first.

Flex is running for the DP flex for the DP flex for the DP.

So the ninth batter of the inning is Leighton Beemer. The freshman with a. With a hit in both games against Cardinal. And here's a pitch that gets away from Barnes and all the way to. Third goes Brooker.

[APPLAUSE]

And you could tell exactly what the Thunder was looking to do here. First and third two outs. They were going for the steal. They are aggressive on the base paths and Harper Rosado sees that wild pitch comes diving into the home. Not typically recommended to dive into home plate, but when there's no one there covering, I suppose you take your chance.

So Kruse now or excuse me. Brooker at third and Beemer the batter. Here's a pop fly shallow center field. In comes Decker to make the catch, but a huge inning. Grand View Christian has not only come back into this one, they have taken the lead. Five runs in the third inning and plenty to celebrate. If you are a Thunder fan. And with this Grand View Christian Thunder team, a tradition that usually happens after home games finally got to make its Fort Dodge debut, head coach Krista DeMeulenaere running the bases with granddaughter Ellie. After the victory yesterday, no more games to be played. There on HyVee Field and nothing like a head first slide into home. There's another one for you. We got two.

Two.

In one broadcast.

Into home by the Thunder.

Well, scan the QR code or call the number on your screen to make a gift of Friends of Iowa PBS. Your support makes programs like our Iowa High School Sports Championship coverage possible while helping us educate, inform, enrich and inspire Iowans every day. Thank you for watching, for supporting Iowa PBS, and for standing with public television. Please consider making a gift right now.

[MUSIC]

And so, a different feeling in the circle as Chloe Cox here in this championship game, working with the lead for the first time.

Said in the last inning, like it just doesn't feel like any lead is safe against Grand View Christian. But now the same can be said against Wapsie Valley. Both these teams have been the queens of big innings so far this week, so this game, I mean neck and neck here, right in the middle of it, we have a fun one to start. State Championship series.

Wapsie Valley with 912 as Shannon gets it started.

[MUSIC]

Two balls, no strikes from Cox.

[APPLAUSE]

Cox with a strikeout in her first at bat. Chops this one it is foul. Snagged by Murphy.

A good jump by Murphy. Up and right up. She's ready to make the play at first. Doesn't need to make the throw.

The senior catcher is going to play college basketball at Faith Baptist Bible College. Got to have that ability shift left and right. Good defender in basketball. Makes a great catcher in softball. That one misses. So three and one. The count.

Two sports a lot of skills. Go hand in hand. Especially the catcher. I mean as a catcher you're the leader of the field basketball a sport built on communication. So. You're good at one. You're likely good at the other one as well.

Three one in there for a strike. It's a full count. I talked to a softball coach today. The this week at the four A level. She said I made my girls pick another sport. They go play something else. It works. Other muscles. Good teaches a little competitiveness. Here's the three two chopped foul by Shannon.

So many benefits to being multi-sport athletes. Not only does it give a mental break from your main sport really, but as you said, works other muscles and I mean meet new friends. Yeah, play in front of a different crowd. Play in a different environment. That's what it's all about.

Here's the three. Two. Oh what a snag. By Byrd the freshman at third.

[APPLAUSE]

And the throw to first is in time.

Curtis having herself a game. That's a tough play to make. You're on the hot corner. You don't know which way you're going to be jumping. She goes up and gets the ball.

What a great reaction.

And a good slap. By Shannon. I mean she goes straight into the dirt with it. That's one. A lot of times ends up being a single because of that hop.

Grand slam. Now web jam defensively. Sophie Bird having a game Lola Destival strikeout and a base hit scored a run in the third part of the three run third inning.

[APPLAUSE]

Looks at ball two. Two head coaches both hitting career milestones. Grand View Christian head coach Krista DeMeulenaere or 200th career win came this season for Austin Jeanes, his 100th career win came this season. A special education Department associate at Wapsie Valley. Stands in the third base coaches box trying to get something rolling here in the fourth. This is struck well out to right field and Rogers back to make the catch while backpedaling. And there's two away.

Rogers played that so nonchalantly I couldn't tell what kind of jump she was getting on the ball. If it was going to go over, or if she had it for the second out. But talking to Coach Austin Jeanes yesterday, it was really neat, he said, you know, he played football for Wapsie Valley when he was in high school and he loves the the girls listen to a song before the games. The. We ready? And he said, that's the song that when he played football that they walked out into the dome at the state tournament. And just really neat how his his time as an athlete now, his time as a coach, that that song has just been present in both state tournaments.

Won a state championship in football. And this has hit into left center and it is in the gap. Three for three for Taylor Booher. A pair of singles and now a double here in the state championship game for the senior.

Center fielder.

How about this hit by Taylor Buhr finds that gap absolutely squares the ball up. And that is a hot bat right now. Three for three on the game.

[APPLAUSE]

Espyn Decker. Looks at a first pitch ball. Decker drove in two runs in the third inning. A hit out to left. Courtesy of Grand View Christian Air. Here's a hard grounder. Left side VanDerSluis from short. Oh, just in time.

[APPLAUSE]

Gets Decker. Nice throw. Nice play as a double by Booher with two outs. Turns into an empty frame here in the fourth inning. So five runners left on for Wapsie Valley. And we have Coach Jeanes with us now. Coach tell you what. Back and forth we go. The three run third inning. What are you seeing from your kids at the plate?

Yeah. Hey, we're making really good contact. We've got a lot of discipline at the plate right now. Kind of just taking it where it's pitched. You know, our girls have been preparing for this and we're just we're just hitting the ball well, hitting the ball hard. And we just got to continue to do that.

And Taylor Buhr in the circle. What are you seeing from her? She bounced back really well after that Grand Slam. The senior leadership and looks like he might be going a pitching change here.

Yeah I mean Taylor is cool, calm and collected. She she works really hard in that circle. She's been doing that for for us for five years. No better person. She's she's just very relaxed up there and doesn't really let anything shake her up. But we're going to try to give her a little bit of a change here.

All right, coach thank you very much. Appreciate the time.

Yep. Thank you very much.

Autumn Kress the freshman for Wapsie Valley goes into the circle here in the bottom of the fourth inning. And Kress made a couple appearances here at the state tournament, two and two thirds innings against Logan Magnolia. No runs on just one hit in those two plus innings and in two and two thirds innings against Ridgeview, gave up six runs on eight hits and a strikeout and four walks.

I like the call here, middle of the game. Just change up the look, see a different arm. See what your freshman can do. And this is a very close ball game. A tough spot for any pitcher to come into. But if you can get one time through the order with a different look and keep the Grand View Christian bats quiet, it is a great plan.

And so Taylor Buhr the the senior pitcher goes to shortstop. Sawyer Buhr the sophomore shortstop goes to second base. And I can't tell if we had any changes in the outfield or if Shannon gets replaced by Kress. Home plate umpire Jim Doyle.

Number nine is coming in the game for 13.

We'll hear from it right here.

And she's at position one. Position one went to six. And position six went to four.

Well yeah he runs.

So we were right on the money.

You nailed it. Good job.

Autumn Kress. The freshman had her 100th career strikeout in May of this year. Hovering around that 150 strikeouts for a career spins the ball very well. This is her first state tournament as she transferred in from East Buchanan and says, I have loved my time with the softball program. It has been great. I've made so many new friends and here she is pitching in the state championship game.

Absolutely love to see it. And I mean a lot of years left here and a lot of potential to make it back to the state tournament a couple of more times for Wapsie Valley.

[APPLAUSE]

Morgan Pelham leading off the inning and for the second consecutive inning, she led off the third. Nine batters came to the plate four Grand View Christian, and here she leads off the fourth inning. Pelham started it with a single, a hot shot straight up the middle.

Just missing the zone up and in three, one count. Pelham looking for her pitch.

Three and one. The count from Kress to Pelham and Pelham earns a lead off base on balls. Jada Rogers comes to the plate.

Such a close game here. You have to think it could be an opportunity to look at some small ball. If your Grand View Christian any insurance runs so so important.

There's a bunt. First base side Ladeburg the throw back to Buhr is off the mark. Safe at first is Rogers and advancing all the way to third is Pelham.

That's a smart softball play. As I said, you only have that one run lead right now. It doesn't feel like enough. You want to push across that run, advance the runner. In best case scenario. Now for Grand View Christian top of the lineup. Runners on the corners.

Livy VanDerSluis had a single. Her last at bat, advancing down to second is Rogers.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

I was like, that would be Livy.

VanDerSluis scored in that third inning on the Sophie Bird Grand Slam. Pulls it back. Two balls, no strikes.

[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]

Kress trying to find it in the circle here. That one catches the top of the zone for strike one.

As a slapper. Not typically your power hitter is Livy VanDerSluis, but runners at second and third. You'd love to see her get something to the right side. Tough to do as a slapper, but that's ideal placement right now.

Two one it does get pitched to the outside and Gracie Sebetka fields. That one to perfection lets it roll foul and picks it up full count. Now on VanDerSluis. Beautifully placed bunt by Livy. VanDerSluis just rolled foul. Two two and this one is plunked to the first base side.

VanDerSluis able to soft slap that. Get her hands out. Get the half swing on the ball.

[APPLAUSE]

Getting a scoring ruling on Jada Rogers bunt down the first base line. Giving a single and then an error that allowed Pelham to advance to third. Here's another two. Two chopped right up the middle, fielded by Booher at shortstop and the throw over to first. Gets the first out, but it plates a run as Pelham scores and Rogers moves to third.

Does plate the run, but this is the right play by Buhr at shortstop. Runner is full go from third base. Her momentum is bringing her over to first. Smart play to get the first out.

First pitch to Murphy is down in the dirt.

[APPLAUSE]

Murphy reached on a fielder's choice. And this is hit foul one and one. The count.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

Murphy a groundout in the first. Grounder in the third to the shortstop both times, has hit it to the shortstop. And here's another grounder to the shortstop. The throw coming home and the tag is on the back leg of Rogers.

And I'm not sure the runner really had a path towards home plate, and I think this is what Coach Krista DeMeulenaere is going to ask about. The catch the catcher has home plate completely blocked, so in the sport of softball, you have to leave a path for the runner. There was no path there. If she slid, she would have gone straight into the catcher. So Wapsie Valley lucky there with no obstruction call.

[APPLAUSE]

So there's two outs now and Sophie Bird to the plate with one runner on.

[APPLAUSE]

Bird with the grand slam in the third inning that tied this game up. A ball she hammered to left field.

[APPLAUSE]

And now two zero to Bird. Snap. Throw over to first to check on Murphy. And now Murphy's going to put the sliding mid on. See a lot more players using that sliding mitt. A safety equipment piece.

Just the single pink mitt. Sawyer to go just one on the left hand.

It's the two. Oh. Fouled away two and one. That's the way you would go. That's the way I.

Would go. Just one minute. Not the. Not the double not the double mitt.

[APPLAUSE]

Aly Cappaert approved there.

[LAUGHTER]

Maiah Murphy. Not that I was stealing too many bases at all.

Here's the two. One. This is fouled up behind the plate and it's going to be out of play.

[LAUGHTER]

Bird helping out. Maiah Barnes the Wapsie Valley catcher. And a two two coming for Bird. Swung on and missed. What a changeup by Autumn Kress. The freshman. Allows a run, but gets the first strikeout of the game. And she goes Wapsie.

Off the drop. A picture perfect pitch by the freshman. Very impressive.

So there's a look inside the Wapsie Valley dugout.

[LAUGHTER]

Grand View Christian adding another run here in the fourth inning and now joined with head coach Krista DeMeulenaere coach. Let's talk about Sophie Bird showing some good leather. But man, that bat. She hammered that grand slam.

Yes she did. She's been doing that all year for us. She's a freshman, but boy, she gets up to the plate like she's a senior. A lot of confidence. She's got a lot of confidence in herself. She's got a lot of confidence in her team to keep working for her. So yeah, she just does a great job for us.

And coach, you talk about the senior leadership on this squad. What have they done to really get things in check, clean up this defense and get you the lead back?

Yeah. Yeah. You know they they come off of the field and they're telling the girls, you know good teams don't stay down. Great teams don't stay down. And that's I think those were kind of the words that picked everybody up.

Coach thank you very much. Good luck the rest of the way.

Thank you.

Appreciate it. Krista DeMeulenaere, fourth year head coach at Grand View Christian. After four years as an assistant. And she was in tears after that final win on Wednesday. Just so happy for these kids. She coached against you. She mentioned when we had our conversation, she remembers you and she was head coach at Pella for a while out of Moline, Illinois, played high school there, state champ in 1985, and went to play at the University of Northern Iowa in the Uni Panther Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007. She was a pitcher for the Panthers in the 80s. Maddie Ladeburg, the batter fouls the first pitch straight back. As Chloe Cox, the sophomore pitcher trying to deliver a state title for coach DeMeulenaere.

You read coach DeMeulenaere history there, playing for Moline, her and my mom would have been high school teammates.

Okay.

[APPLAUSE]

Go through all the family trees here today in our state tournament coverage. Is that Pella from 2009 to 2015? First state tournament appearance in school history in 2015 and a strikeout for Cox as Ladeburg goes down swinging.

And Cox goes back to that rise ball, a pitch she has thrown so, so well throughout the game. You'll see the pitch here up at the hands. What a pitch for Chloe Cox.

Fourth strikeout of the game for Cox.

One.

Foul tip into the catcher's mitt for Sawyer Buhr. Buhr. The shortstop moved over to second base defensively, but here at the plate she's one for two, reached on an error and then a double. This is a little Texas Leaguer and it's going to fall down just beyond the reaching arm of VanDerSluis Ice and a one out single for Sawyer Buhr.

A great hustle by VanDerSluis at the shortstop position. She's going all out for that ball. And sometimes the hit just finds no woman's land right out there. What an effort.

Gracie Sebetka steps into the batter's box. The runner on and one away. Fouled straight back. Sebetka a junior. Hits against Ridgeview, drew a walk in the third. Hit one up and in. And you've got a personal connection you know about now with Grand View Christian Thunder Gracie Sebetka. She's my personal connection with this Wapsie Valley team. She's a young lady. She grounds it to the right side. Beemer gets it and makes the play over to first.

[APPLAUSE]

Sebetka moves up to second base. I coached Gracie Sebetka when she was younger, 11 to 12. You Softball she came and played with the Waterloo Warhawks. For a few years. Maiah Barnes. Now the batter runner in scoring position here for Wapsie Valley down two runs. See if Barnes can cut this lead in half. Cox delivers a strike.

[MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

And strike two.

And Cox is dealing right now, finding a way, getting that upward movement on the pitch. And when you're throwing with movement and attacking the zone, it is a tall task for hitters.

Though two is low, a real good miss there. By Chloe Cox.

I like it. You're ahead in the count. Go off the plate. High, low outside. Doesn't really matter, but throw a competitive pitch and see if you can get the hitter to chase.

Here's the one. Two. Fouled straight back Barnes stays alive. Barnes with a single on Monday, was two for four at a home run on Tuesday, and then a triple on Wednesday.

One two.

Since you brought up the state tournament cycle needs just a double for the senior catcher for the Warriors. Here's the one two and called strike three.

[APPLAUSE]

Cox paints it at the knees and that's five strikeouts and smiles. Now for Chloe Cox.

Chloe Cox right here. Low inside corner paints it. What a pitch. Chloe Cox is dealing.

[APPLAUSE]

All right, we head to the bottom of the fifth. Let's send it up top.

[APPLAUSE]

Tim Fitzpatrick get that singing voice going here in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

All right. Let me hear you. Take me out to the ball game. Take me out to the crowd. Are you singing? Buy me some peanuts and cracker Jack. I don't care if I ever get back for its root, root, root for the. If they don't win, it's a shame. For it's three strikes. You're out at the old ball game.

[APPLAUSE]

Hey nice job. Who's out there cheering for Wapsie Valley? And who's cheering for the Thunder. Nice job fans. Keep cheering.

[APPLAUSE]

All right. The energy has just been risen. Now you gotta take me out to the ball. Game underway and back into the pitcher's circle. Autumn Kress the freshman for the Wapsie Valley. Warriors and Grand View Christian comes to the plate. 4 or 5 six Chloe Cox. Will lead it off for the Thunder looking with a six four lead.

Chloe Cox looking to help her own cause in this game and this Grand View Christian lineup has been so good. One through nine and a base hit to start the inning.

[APPLAUSE]

Thrown By Destival out in

[LAUGHTER]

left. And so

[LAUGHTER]

Cox is at first and

[APPLAUSE]

Harper Rosado comes to the plate. And will have a courtesy runner for the pitcher.

Chloe Cox 14 for one.

And Lydia Larwick number 14. The eighth grader.

[APPLAUSE]

In to run.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

14 courtesy run for the pitcher 14.

[LAUGHTER]

Courtesy for the pitcher.

Will be.

So Harper Rosado. Comes to the plate. The freshman with

[APPLAUSE]

a triple

[MUSIC]

and her last at bat scored on a wild pitch.

Left handed hitter. I mean, she pulled that ball right down the left field

[APPLAUSE]

line. I can see why they went off speed. First pitch. She was out ahead of it in her last at bat. And they're going to test her right away.

It was deflected off the glove of Ladeburg at first base and rolled into the corner. Here's the oh one catches the outside corner. No balls.

[APPLAUSE]

Two strikes.

[APPLAUSE]

For Rosado. First time for her seeing Autumn Kress and the oh two swing and a miss. Three pitch strikeout for

[APPLAUSE]

Kress and there's one away.

Kress has been so good since she came in with that off speed pitch. We see it here once again. She stays low in the zone and gets Rosado out on that front foot. A good go to pitch.

[MUSIC]

That brings senior Grace Kruse to the plate. First pitch fouls it away. Aly you talked to this Grand View Christian coaching staff and head coach Christian DeMeulenaere about this senior. Group four seniors and a senior manager as well that have been playing together since they were 11.

[MUSIC]

And the senior manager right there on your screen. Reagan node line drive to the second baseman.

[APPLAUSE]

Shannon and the dive back in time line drive by Grace Kruse caught by Shannon for out number two and Larwick safe

[APPLAUSE]

at first. Kruse part of that senior group. But coach really wanted to call out Reagan Node. Node had two knee injuries when she was younger, but has just been so awesome and positive since her freshman year. She has been manager of volleyball, soccer and softball. Has fun with the team. She is headed to Dmacc to study psychology and she says, you know, I'm just may be a manager at Dmacc as well, but.

I hope she does just find a way to stay around the game. She is the person you want in your dugout. Such a neat story that she stuck with this team all throughout high school and this championship game. She is just as important as every single player in a

[APPLAUSE]

jersey.

The count two balls, no strikes on Beemer as Larwick advances, the second on the wild pitch and a runner in scoring position. Now for Leighton Beemer. Another freshman on this Grand View Christian team.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

Two zero fouled back into Maya Barnes. The senior catcher.

[LAUGHTER]

Barnes is senior Taylor Buhr starting pitchers now at shortstop as a senior first baseman. Maddie Ladeburg, a senior with his Wapsie Valley squad.

Both these teams have some key pieces that are the senior leaders. They also have some key pieces that are very young, so we'll be interesting over these next couple of years. I mean, you have to imagine these are two teams we're going to see time and time again here at the state tournament. But senior leadership is so important in what they can teach the young players that are on the team with them.

Three one and that is up and that is a base on balls. And now two aboard as Morgan Pelham

[LAUGHTER]

. Comes to the dish. She's one for one. Has scored two runs. Has a single and a walk and has two runners on here with two outs. Pop fly right side. Shannon goes out, Destival comes in and Shannon gives way to Harper Destival. The eighth grader makes the catch out in right field so no runs for Grand View Christian in the fifth. It is a two run contest as Wapsie Valley. The three seed. They will have 891 coming up. But how did we get here? Six four headed to the sixth.

Wapsie Valley early in this game. Took advantage of the defensive miscues. They were piling on the hits, piling on the runs in the first and the third inning. You see the big hit there. Espyn Decker able to plate a couple of runs, but that lead didn't hold much longer after that big third inning. Finally, the Grand View Christian bats came alive. It was Sophie Bird the Grand Slam to tie it back up at four, and it's been Grand View Christian ever since. Two more

[LAUGHTER]

runs have been able to come across to dive into home by Rosado in. This game has been fun to watch, a lot of action left.

[MUSIC]

The fans excitement is

[MUSIC]

building for Wapsie Valley.

Jeanes going to.

Layla Armstrong.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

Comes to the plate and it looks like Emerie. Shannon will reenter for Kress to hit second here in this sixth inning. As each player gets subbed out, you get one reentry.

[LAUGHTER] [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]

Chloe Cox in the circle. Five strikeouts. For her and just one walk in this contest. Faces

[APPLAUSE]

Armstrong.

[APPLAUSE]

Here's the one zero turned on that one. And good cat like reflexes by our

[APPLAUSE]

camera crew. That was a hot shot off the bat of Layla Armstrong over that third base dugout.

The camera crew, the real MVP of this Iowa PBS production.

That's got to be a former third baseman there, right?

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

[APPLAUSE]

In the bottom portion of this Wapsie Valley lineup is looking for some production here in the sixth inning. Late in the game, they need to produce at least two runs to tie this thing back up seven through nine, looking for their first base runner.

[LAUGHTER] [MUSIC]

As it hit down the line. And it is just foul. So one ball, two strikes is the count.

[MUSIC] [APPLAUSE]

There's a pop fly center field. Pelham able to settle underneath it and make the

[APPLAUSE]

catch.

Well hit ball by Layla Armstrong just underneath it. A little too much air with it. But you'll see here times it up right and Pelham makes it look easy.

So Emerie Shannon reentering here in the ninth spot.

[MUSIC]

Autumn Kress subbed in for Shannon and pitch the fourth and fifth inning.

Two.

A strikeout and a groundout for Shannon.

It'll be interesting once Wapsie comes back out on defense. Who takes the circle? Kress has done a really nice job in her innings of work in this game. Grand View Christian offense has been quiet against her in the circle.

Three two.

Taylor Buhr the senior editor. Simpson to play softball, but when coach talked about her, he talked about just the high softball IQ and just such a solid glove at shortstop. Here's the one one grounded right back to Cox

[APPLAUSE]

in the circle and the throw over to one for out.

[APPLAUSE]

Number two.

[APPLAUSE]

Is Grand View Christian defense has really settled in making the routine plays look easy. That's something early in this game they had struggled with, but Coach DeMeulenaere talked a lot about the senior leadership coming in and saying, hey, we got this a lot of game left. Let's get it under control. And that's exactly what they've done.

Lola Destival. Line drive into left center field. That's a two out

[APPLAUSE]

single. For the Warriors here in the sixth top of the order delivers and keeps the sixth inning alive and brings Taylor Buhr to the plate. Who is three for three so far in this game.

And Lola Destival, the lead off hitter, knows exactly what she's looking for. This is these hitters fourth time through the lineup and very smart Time-out here by coach DeMeulenaere wants to have a conversation prior to Taylor Buhr coming up.

And we'll listen in to coach.

Catcher is.

Having some technical difficulties. We do have umpires coaches miked up throughout the broadcast and sometimes as coaches are waving runners home and giving high fives on Grand Slam mikes can get unplugged.

But secret conversation.

There we go. So Destival with a single. She's two for four. She's at first base, Taylor Buhr at the plate now she's three for three. Has two runs

[LAUGHTER]

scored.

[LAUGHTER]

Coming all the way from Polk City.

And an opportunity here for

[LAUGHTER]

the senior.

[LAUGHTER]

To come back here in this state

[APPLAUSE]

championship game. Down a pair.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

Parkes first pitch outside portion of the plate. Buhr fouls it back.

[APPLAUSE]

And it would have been interesting to hear what was said in that huddle because I mean this is a

[LAUGHTER]

difficult out for Wapsie Valley Taylor Buhr three for three on this game and able to do some

[LAUGHTER]

damage.

There's a grounder. It's a fair ball fielded by Bird. The throw to first is

[APPLAUSE]

just in time for out number three. Sophie Bird

[APPLAUSE]

is having herself a championship game and Grand View Christian holds Wapsie scoreless in the top of the

[APPLAUSE]

sixth inning.

[LAUGHTER]

Sophie Bird about three feet into foul territory. That is a long throw throw across the diamond. Taylor Buhr laying it all out there.

So we flip to the bottom of the sixth inning, and here in Fort Dodge, connections are thick in softball world. Coaches know so many coaches. Players know so many players and sometimes Aly. As we have found out, even announcers know some of the players. And for Wapsie Valley third baseman Gracie Sebetka. I first met Gracie when she was 11 years old as Sebetka family right in the center of your screen. Dad in the gray T-shirt. Mom on the right. And here's a look at the junior Wahawks 2021. And I got to be honest, it says Brad Wells Kelce Gracie Sebetka. I was the fun coach, coach Nikki and Coach Molly, my wife on the right, and Nikki in the center. Those two got this team playing some of the best softball that those kids have played in three years. And yeah, we had a little attitude Aly.

For some reason, I believe that Coach Brad

[LAUGHTER]

was the fun coach.

[MUSIC]

Gracie's mom, Kathy, says, you guys made it fun. And that kind of got got the itch for Gracie. And leading off the six Jada Rogers a single for

[APPLAUSE]

Grand View Christian. Straight up the middle. As Kress does come back into the game for Wapsie Valley in the

[LAUGHTER]

circle here. For the Warriors. And the top of the order comes to the plate. Livy VanDerSluis. Fouls it straight back.

Nice upward spin on that pitch by Kress. Riseball is a tough pitch to hit for Slappers. Slappers always trying to get their hands above the ball. Hit it down into the dirt. So if a pitch can make it above the hands can induce a quick pop up.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

Steil one from Kress is low. The throw down to

[APPLAUSE]

second.

[APPLAUSE]

That's a stolen base for Rogers.

[APPLAUSE]

Grand View Christian throughout this entire game has been so aggressive on the base pass, and while they have been caught most of the time, it's really paying off for them and they're able to capitalize on the aggressiveness.

Rogers in scoring position for VanDerSluis had an RBI on a groundout in the fourth inning. She scored a run when she had a single in the third. Also thrown out at the plate after she walked in the first inning. Here's the two one this is popped

[APPLAUSE]

up and Sebetka makes the catch at third.

[APPLAUSE]

Coach Nicki and coach Molly are saying, I taught her that.

[LAUGHTER]

There's good movement in the third base

[MUSIC]

position. Cover that bunt, drop back, make the catch in foul

[APPLAUSE]

territory.

[APPLAUSE]

So now Kress will face Maiah Murphy Maiah Murphy. Contact every at bat

[APPLAUSE]

. A groundout and two fielder's choice plays. She did score a run in the third inning as she was on first, but the Sophie Bird Grand Slam Wapsie Valley had a four zero lead. Sophie Bird tied it up and added a

[APPLAUSE]

run in the third and

[LAUGHTER]

then in the fourth inning, the Grand View Christian two run lead.

[LAUGHTER]

What's up?

[LAUGHTER]

No

[LAUGHTER]

.

Ground ball a tough spinner, and that is off the leg of Murphy.

Looked like it had a misdirection there after she had hit it. Her third base umpire, who was actually.

Casey Conover.

Make that call. It's a tough angle from where we're at behind home plate. You can kind of just see the ball change

[APPLAUSE]

directions.

One and two on Murphy with one

[APPLAUSE]

away here. Rogers at

[APPLAUSE]

second base. Here's the one two hit into left field. That's going to get down in front of

[APPLAUSE]

Destival.

[APPLAUSE]

Destival dropped it.

[APPLAUSE]

Being waved home as Rogers cut off by Sebetka and Grand View Christian adds an insurance run here in

[APPLAUSE]

the sixth.

[APPLAUSE]

And how about this Maiah Murphy the off speed pitch right off the end of her bat, pokes it out into left field and a difficult play there. Results in an extra insurance run.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

So Maiah Murphy, the senior, delivers in the sixth to make it a three run lead for Grand View Christian.

Now, how are you handling Sophie Bird at the plate here? Already a grand slam in this game. First base is open. I'm being very, very careful in how I'm pitching to Sophie Bird. She is swinging such a hot bat right now.

Ball right down the middle. One ball, one strike after Autumn Kress. She came in in the fourth inning, struck out

[LAUGHTER]

Sophie Bird to end the inning. That's what I love about the state tournament. You have two teams that all have players that have some of the highest confidence that they've had all season right now, and you're in this championship game. Here's the one one. This is fouled away. First base side and it's one ball two strikes on Bird.

There's just no game like the state championship players that just seem to have those clutch Jeanes come right out.

Grand View Christian their motto we over me. Here's the one two this is popped up right field. Destival goes back Harper Destival the eighth grader makes the catch and the throw gets away from the

[APPLAUSE]

cutoff and Sebetka tracks it down. Murphy will advance to third base on the

[APPLAUSE]

fly out and the errant throw. No error charged and there's

[LAUGHTER]

two away. Chloe Cox will be the batter.

Productive out for Sophie Bird runner on second base punched that ball out to the right side and let Chloe Cox

[APPLAUSE]

take over.

Cox a single in the fifth inning. A single here in the sixth would plate a run.

[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]

Autumn Kress the

[MUSIC]

freshman came in in relief to replace Taylor Booher, the senior who's now at shortstop. The

[APPLAUSE]

change up sliding in there for a strike. No balls. Two strikes now on Cox.

She's ahead in the count. That's a pitch she's thrown so, so well. Gives her the opportunity. Now, if she wants to work off the plate, go for the chase. She can.

Goes on the inner half of the plate. Gets the pop up to Harper Destival. The eighth grader in right makes the last two outs of the bottom of the sixth inning, and Wapsie Valley will come up here in the top of the seventh, and they will need three runs or more to see more softball than the top of the seventh inning. They will have three, four, five coming to the plate. Well, it's college wrestling. The heart of the mat beats in the great state of Iowa. Catch the grit, the glory. The champions of tomorrow. The tradition continues with a new season five action packed nights of men's and women's duals beginning this December. On your state wide network. Iowa PBS. And a wrestling

[MUSIC]

connection in the stands as Justin Decker in the stands, a two time high school state champion for West Central High School, wrestled with the Iowa Hawkeye wrestling program 95 to 98. Did another year at Upper Iowa. Believe 12 years later, the father of Espyn Decker and. The

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

father as well of Caine and Decker, a 2025 high school state champion and was asked by people. You got to figure out how is Espyn Decker not a wrestler? I went and asked Justin here today. She's playing club volleyball. She's. That's fair. She's pretty busy in the

[APPLAUSE]

winter months. Also, dad told me. He said, the nerves

[LAUGHTER]

get to me in these games. He's like, when I'm wrestling, if I'm on the mat and it's me. I had no problem with it. But watching my kids, man, that's a whole different feeling. That's been trying to get something started here. For Wapsie Valley and any number seven.

How neat is that? A state champion has been able to watch two of his kids also compete at the state championship level. A really neat story on the Wapsie Valley side.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

This one down in the dirt. Three and oh, now to Espyn Decker.

VanDerSluis is calling time out. Have a quick conversation with her pitcher Chloe Cox get her settled in a quick walk here at the top of the

[APPLAUSE]

seventh.

[APPLAUSE]

That's been gets the free pass and Maddie Ladeburg is the batter time called. By Maiah Murphy senior catcher. Once a one on one conversation with Chloe Cox.

And I love this. I mean, you talk about the catcher, the leader of your defense infield started to come in to join the conversation. She said, no, no, no, I just want to have conversation right now. Just my pitcher. And that's the senior leadership that you rely on behind the plate.

Head coach Krista DeMeulenaere talked about the four seniors and the senior manager, Raegan Node.

[LAUGHTER]

First pitch here is hammered. After that visit, but well, foul down that left field line and well out of play.

[APPLAUSE]

A long strike. Ladeburg was ready.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

Change up way up high.

Just out of the grip of Chloe Cox.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

Grand View Christian. Right now a couple of insurance runs on the board right now. Focus just needs to be on the batter outs are more important than the base runners.

Here's the one. One nice ball fouled back one ball two strikes.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

Ladeburg is senior. Here's the one. Two hammered into center field. This is back. Pelham looks up. It's gone. It's a one run game in

[APPLAUSE]

the seventh.

[APPLAUSE]

How about that? The senior takes

[APPLAUSE]

that pitch dead center high into the bleachers and we have a one run ball game.

[APPLAUSE]

Grand View Christian coach Krista DeMeulenaere is going to go out and have a conversation. Let this crowd settle before she

[APPLAUSE]

continues this game.

Maddie Ladeburg. We mentioned it on Senior night. Aly two Grand Slams and a two run home run. 11 RBIs in the final home game. And how about a two run bomb in the seventh to give your team life.

An

[APPLAUSE]

absolute shock shot off the bat. You could see it as soon as she made contact. Her eyes went dead center field and just watched it fly.

[MUSIC]

The Warriors are not done yet. Sawyer Buhr, the

[APPLAUSE]

sophomore. Makes it a pitch off the plate.

[APPLAUSE]

We play.

It different. There they go. They just changed it.

Okay. You bet

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

I think that's exactly what she said.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

Here's the one zero this is hit into right field and this will stay up for Jada Rogers to make the catch. And there's one out here in the top of the seventh.

Just a huge out for Grand View Christian there. Anytime you can follow up a home run with an out, a little bit of a sigh of relief for the defense, settle it back

[APPLAUSE]

in. Home runs are the greatest thing in softball. Sometimes they can be rally killers. Sometimes they can be rally starters. So either way here both these teams very much in this ball game.

Cox now faces

[APPLAUSE]

Gracie Sebetka.

[APPLAUSE]

Sebetka in this game zero for two but drew a walk back in the third. After Wapsie Valley right now down a run you're thinking base runners, aren't you?

Exactly. Base hit base to base

[LAUGHTER]

Softball. This game so far has been defined by the long ball, but nine times out of ten it is base to base softball that's going to win you ball games. And that's what you have to get to here in the seventh inning. Get yourself on base. Let your teammates go to work.

Cox set to deliver the two one pitch. Sebetka grounder left side fielded by Bird. The throw to

[APPLAUSE]

first is in time. Grand View Christian is now

[APPLAUSE]

one out away from a class two.

[APPLAUSE]

A state title in their first trip ever to the state tournament.

We are championship game number one of five. I am not sure you are going to get this much drama, and if you are, I'm not sure if my heart's going to be able to handle it between today and tomorrow. Such a high energy game. Both these teams have brought everything they have to the plate.

Aly 22 schools have won a championship in their first appearance at state, but only three of them have done it since

[APPLAUSE]

2008.

[APPLAUSE]

As Louisa-muscatine in 2018, Northland in 2019 and Joaquin Northwest in 2022.

[APPLAUSE]

First pitch ball to Maiah

[APPLAUSE]

Barnes.

[LAUGHTER]

Barnes, the senior

[APPLAUSE]

catcher zero for three but has made contact.

In the seventh inning, ball delivery on the Wapsie Valley side, a special moment for the senior and her

[APPLAUSE]

family.

[APPLAUSE]

Maddie Ladeburg.

[APPLAUSE]

Here's the two zero. This is hammered into center field and it is past Pelham around first headed for

[APPLAUSE]

second.

[APPLAUSE]

Now back to first goes Barnes a two out single to keep Wapsie Valley's hopes alive.

In the bottom part of this lineup needed to come alive. No better time than now.

First hit by the bottom third of this order to just beyond the reach of Pelham.

In very smart base running there by Maya Barnes to retreat back to first base. She's the tying run in this

[APPLAUSE]

ball game also could have been the third out. You have to be safe when you're running bases. You never want the final out of an inning or even the ball game to be on the base

[APPLAUSE]

paths.

[APPLAUSE]

Wapsie Valley with the tying run on first. Layla Armstrong the batter.

[APPLAUSE]

Hit one up high from Chloe Cox.

Layla Armstrong the patient hitter as coach says, and high pressure moment that patience is key.

[APPLAUSE]

Once fouled straight back

[APPLAUSE]

into the stands. And it's one on

[APPLAUSE]

one.

[APPLAUSE]

For Wapsie Valley. They're trying to keep their hopes alive. They want to. State softball title in 1969. That was the final year they played the state tournament at Hubbard. 1970, the state tournament came

[APPLAUSE]

to Fort Dodge. One ball, two

[APPLAUSE]

strikes.

[APPLAUSE]

The count on Layla Armstrong.

[APPLAUSE]

Everyone in this ballpark now on the Grand View Christian side, up on

[APPLAUSE]

their feet.

[APPLAUSE]

The one two grounder to the shortstop VanDerSluis the throw across the diamond and Grand View Christian wins the class two a title in their

[APPLAUSE]

first trip to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state softball tournament.

[APPLAUSE]

Coach Krista DeMeulenaere in tears on her

[APPLAUSE]

sideline this Grand View Christian Thunder team has earned it. They fought their way back. Now the first ones in history to lose in the first round of the double elimination bracket, fight their way back to a state

[APPLAUSE]

championship.

[APPLAUSE]

And just year number four as head coach Krista DeMeulenaere

[APPLAUSE]

has a state title.

[APPLAUSE]

Embrace. With her players and her star pitcher, Chloe Cox,

[APPLAUSE]

the sophomore.

[APPLAUSE]

Great effort from Wapsie Valley in this last inning to get that tying run on first.

And the clean play to end it there. That is a high pressure moment. It's never a sure play in Grand View Christian

[APPLAUSE]

has their first title.

Grand View Christian committed

[APPLAUSE]

four errors in this game, but early on and then cleaned things up defensively. But they get seven runs on nine hits and two Wapsie errors. Wapsie Valley six runs on nine hits and four Grand View Christian errors.

[LAUGHTER] [LAUGHTER]

And gentlemen, please direct your attention to the infield for the awards

[APPLAUSE]

ceremony. Presenting the class two A All-Tournament team medals is Executive Director Aaron Gerlich and softball administrator Jason Esslinger. Here is your class two AA All-Tournament team from Grand View Christian

[APPLAUSE]

Harper Rosado.

[APPLAUSE]

From Wapsie Valley

[APPLAUSE]

Sawyer Buhr.

[APPLAUSE]

From Ridgeview.

[APPLAUSE]

Cora Tesch.

[APPLAUSE]

From Regina Catholic

[APPLAUSE]

.

[APPLAUSE]

Lilly Neibauer.

[APPLAUSE]

From Regina Catholic

[APPLAUSE]

Harper.

[APPLAUSE]

Erwin.

[APPLAUSE]

From Regina Catholic. Keegan

[APPLAUSE]

Kleppe.

[APPLAUSE]

From Grand View Christian.

[APPLAUSE]

Chloe Cox.

[APPLAUSE]

From Wapsie Valley.

[APPLAUSE]

Lola.

[APPLAUSE]

Destival.

[APPLAUSE]

From Grand View Christian. Livy.

[APPLAUSE]

VanDerSluis.

[APPLAUSE]

From Wapsie Valley.

[APPLAUSE]

Taylor Buhr.

[APPLAUSE]

And your class two. A All-Tournament. Team captain. From Grand View Christian. Sophie Bird.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC]

Aly. A Grand Slam and the championship game. Certainly worthy of. Captain of the All-Tournament team for Sophie Bird.

An exciting game for her. Exciting game for this entire Grand View Christian squad. But that is a moment. As a softball player, you will never forget. An absolute shot to tie up the ball game, get your team back into it, and eventually win. What a showing for Sophie Bird.

[APPLAUSE]

We send it back up top to public address. Announcer.

And now for the trophy presentation. In addition to receiving medals, every participating player will receive a commemorative softball provided by Iowa Farm Bureau title sponsor of the Girls Athletic Union. Presenting awards are members of the IGHSAU Board of Directors. Congratulations to the runners up in class two a the Warriors of Wapsie Valley and head

[APPLAUSE]

coach Austin Jeanes.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

And your 2020 class two, a state

[APPLAUSE]

Softball champions. The Thunder

[APPLAUSE]

of Grand View Christian and head coach Krista DeMeulenaere. Congratulations.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

Grand View Christian. In their first title game appearance, they win the school's first softball state championship and the defense wasn't clean at first, but the Grand Slam by Sophie Bird wiped that slate clean. They put the sticker up as the Thunder are state champs and what a gutsy performance from both teams and Grand View Christian comes out victorious.

Well deserved. The senior leadership did it for the Thunder. An exciting game to start this championship series.

For Aly Cappaert and our fantastic crew of Iowa PBS. I am Brad Wells, thanks so much for joining us. Coming up later tonight, the four a championship game. Carlisle an 8 a.m. A rematch of the 2024 title game coming up.

[MUSIC]

Funding provided by --

Pella Windows and Doors help bring your home to life. For more than 100 years, Pella has been dedicated to building a brighter future in Iowa communities. Pella Corporation is a proud supporter of Iowa PBS.

Fareway Meat and Grocery. For more than 80 years, Fareway has been proud to be an active part of the communities we serve. Learn more at fareway.com.

With our Iowa roots and Midwestern values, Farmers Mutual Hail is committed to offering innovative farm insurance for America's farmers, just as we have for six generations. Farmers Mutual Hail, America's crop insurance company.

Musco Lighting is honored to support Iowa PBS, where an Iowa company that lights local schools, community fields and stadiums, arenas and venues in more than 125 countries. While our reach is global, our commitment is local.