It was close from the start, but eventually (11 innings later), the Decorah softball team (16-14, 10-3 NEIC) defeated Mason City (14-15), 4-3.
The two squads were scoreless through four innings. Sydney Kipp led off the bottom of the fifth with a single, eventually scoring on an error. Later, Bryar Duwe had her third single of the game and scored on a Lauren Luzum single, giving Decorah a 2-0 lead. Mason City evened the score in the seventh to push extra innings.
Following a scoreless eighth frame, the Riverhawks combined for a double and single to score one and go on top, 3-2. With two outs, Dylin Thompson reached base on an error in the bottom of the ninth and crossed home plate. Duwe’s triple knotted the score again 3-3. Viking pitcher Clara Hjelle went to work in the 10th and 11th frames, striking out four of Mason City’s six batters. Decorah then loaded the bases in the bottom of the 11th, allowing Paige Werner to score the winning run on Duwe’s fifth hit of the game.
Decorah had a great night at the plate with 12 hits. Bryar Duwe was 5-for-5 with a triple and two RBI. Lauren Luzum and Clara Hjelle each had two hits, with Kipp and Dylin Thompson each connecting for one.
Hjelle picked up the win, going all 11 frames. She gave up three runs on six hits and struck out 15.
Finishing up
Decorah closed out the regular season with a varsity doubleheader against Charles City (15-14) Monday at home. The Vikes then turn around and host the Comets again in the first round of Region 8 action Thursday, July 6, at 7 p.m. The winner advances to the regional semifinal against Western Dubuque (27-9) in Farley Saturday, July 8, at 5 p.m.
MC 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 3 6 5
Dec 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 12 3
Clara Hjelle (WP) – 11IP, 3R, 6H, 15K
3B – Bryar Duwe 1; 1B – Duwe 4; Lauren Luzum 2; Hjelle 2; Sydney Kipp 1; Dylin Thompson 1; RBI – Duwe 2; Luzum 1; SB – Lillian Olson
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