The Algona Bulldog softball team saw their season come to an end on the doorstep of the state tournament, falling in the regional final for the second straight year, as Libby Winters’ 18 strikeout performance led the class 3A #5 ranked PCM Mustangs to a 2-0 win over #15 ranked Algona in the class 3A – region 6 championship game.
Winters was as close to unhittable as it gets, as the PCM sophomore recorded 18 of her 21 outs by way of the strikeout, allowing just three base hits and two walks. Winters fanned five straight Algona batters to end the game.
PCM broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Winters lead off the inning with a double to left, followed by a bunt from Hadley Millang that was mishandled by Algona to put runners at the corners with nobody out. Tori Lindsay delivered a sacrifice fly to left field for the first run of the game, then a couple batters later with two outs, Camden Webb came through with an RBI single to make the score 2-0. Later in the inning, the Mustangs were threatening for more with runners at 2nd and 3rd base, but a diving catch in center field by Gabby Venteicher prevented any further damage.
Algona’s best scoring opportunity came in the 6th, after Maya Lentz lead off with a bunt single. After Winters induced a pop out by Bella Jo Dunning, Reagan Haynes singled to right center to put runners at first and second with one out. Winters quickly extinguished the threat with back to back punchouts to end the inning. The 6th would be the only inning Algona advanced a runner past first base.
A third inning single by Dunning was Algona’s only other base hit.
Algona senior Allison Trunkhill extinguished a couple of other Mustang scoring threats, working around a runner at second with one out situation in the third inning, and not allowing any runs in the fifth after PCM had their first two batters reach base.
Trunkhill’s final pitching stat line for Algona included five hits and two runs allowed with five strikeouts and two walks in six innings pitched.
PCM enters next week’s state tournament having not allowed a run in their first three postseason contests. Winters extended her streak of not allowing an earned run so far this season to 43 innings.
Algona ends theirs season with a 23-7 record, ending a season that included their first conference title since 1989, and third regional final appearance in the past five seasons. PCM moves to 26-4, and advances to the class 3A state tournament for the third season in a row.
