A four run first inning proved to be too much to overcome for North Union.
The North Union Warriors state championship hopes for 2021 came to an end in the class 2A state quarterfinals with a 7-4 loss to the Earlham Cardinals. Earlham quickly set the tone in the bottom of the first inning, as five out of the first six batters in their lineup singled off of Warrior pitcher Emily Meyer. By the time the dust settled, the Warriors faced a deficit that they would be unable to overcome.
North Union tried to mount rallies several times during the course of the game. In the 3rd inning, Meyer delivered a big two run double to left center field to cut Earlham’s lead in half. However, Earlham answered back with two runs in the 4th inning, as a Warrior error and Grace Porter’s two out RBI single made the score 6-2.
Meyer would deliver another run scoring base hit in the 5th to make the score 6-3, but the Warriors would get no closer. Earlham added an insurance run in the 6th inning, and although North Union applied some pressure in the 7th with three hits to score a run and make it 7-4, they couldn’t come all the way back.
Madeline Janssen picked up the win for Earlham with Meyer took the loss for North Union. Cassie Beadle had a 3/4 performance at the plate for North Union, who also received 2 base hits each from Meyer, Sam Nielsen, and Naomi Jones.
Earlham will face Wilton in the semifinal round while North Union takes on Pella Christian in a consolation game.
