North Union softball fell short of advancing to the class 2A state title game after a semifinal matchup with Wilton that spiraled out of control into a 14-1 loss.
The Warriors found themselves in an unfamiliar position, trailing early after a four run second inning by Wilton that featured a two-run double from number nine hitter Catie Hook and a RBI single from Taylor Drayfahl on the very next batter.
Wilton would add on two more runs in the third to take a 6-0 lead, before North Union answered back for one in the bottom of the inning on a two out RBI double from Emily Meyer.
The Beavers tacked on a response run in the top of the fourth on a RBI single from Peyton Souhrada to take a 7-1 lead, then blew the game open with a seven run sixth that saw ten beavers come to the plate and North Union commit two of their five errors.
Warrior Head Coach Kim Price feels some state jitters may have played a part in the defensive issues that saw North Union commit nine errors over two state games.
The combination of five North Union errors and 12 hits by Wilton led to the Warriors allowing their highest run total since giving up 14 against Central Springs on June 25th, 2020. Drayfahl was 4/5 with three RBI on the afternoon, while Souhrada added a 3/4 performance with 2 runs driven in. Madelyn Wade led all players with four runs batted in.
Coach Price feels this one loss doesn’t define the Warriors.
Wilton received a great outing from Charlotte Brown, as she picked up the win by pitching the full six innings, allowing one run on six hits, striking out five batters and walking just two.
Wilton Head Coach Kortney Denkman says Brown didn’t just step up on Wednesday, but has been stepping up all season long.
North Union will play in the third place game on Friday afternoon at 3:30 against Central Springs, who lost 7-4 on Wednesday to Iowa City Regina.
Coach Price still feels pride in the team competing for third.
The loss snaps an 11 game winning streak for North Union. Wilton faces Iowa City Regina at 5 o’clock on Friday night for the state title.
