Newman, West Fork headed back to state softball tournament, Osage falls in regional final

State softball bracket

MASON CITY — The Newman softball team is headed back to the state tournament after winning the Class 1A Region 8 championship last night at home. Leah Brown had a two-run single in the first inning, scoring Brooke Bleile and Sami Kruckenberg, and that’s all the scoring that needed to be done in a 2-0 victory for the 9th-ranked Knights over 11th-ranked Ankeny Christian. Kruckenberg picked up the victory in the circle with a two-hit shutout, striking out 12 and walking three. Newman improves to 24-5 on the season and they will face 2nd-ranked Clarksville in the state quarterfinals next Tuesday night at 7 o’clock at the Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge. Clarksville improved to 28-4 with an 11-1 win over Riceville. 

SHEFFIELD — In Class 2A, West Fork has punched their ticket for the second straight year to the state tournament with a 3-2, eight inning win over Top of Iowa Conference rival Central Springs in the Class 2A Region 8 championship game in Sheffield last night. Brooke Rother socked a home run over the left field wall in the bottom of the eighth to walk it off for the Warhawks. West Fork is now 22-6 on the season and will be the #5 seed in the 2A state tournament field. They’ll face 4th-seed Durant on Tuesday afternoon at 12:45. 

OSAGE — After both teams plated two runs apiece in the first, East Marshall added a run in the second to make the difference as the Mustangs knocked off Osage 3-2 in the Class 2A Region 4 championship game last night in Osage. The Green Devils finish their season with a 28-2 record.