Fort Dodge, Ia (KICD) – The Spencer Softball team traveled to #3 ranked Fort Dodge for the Class 4A Region 1 Semi-Final.

Both teams came into the contest flexing high powered offenses, Spencer hitting .353 on the season as a team while Fort Dodge was batting .326. Despite the good offensive numbers, hits and base runners were hard to come by for both teams on Saturday.

Kaitlyn Lawson got the start for Spencer and Lucy Porter was in the circle for the Dodgers.

In the first 2 innings, neither team was able to get a base runner. Jersey Vail would be the first to reach first base in the top of the 3rd inning, doing so on a fielding error. Later that inning, Jerra Merchant forced one of the few walks this year issued by a Dodger pitcher, but the Tigers were unable to move either base runner across.

Fort Dodge’s Ashlyn Willis would hit a double to right field in the bottom of the 3rd inning, and her pinch runner Maddie Hoshaw moved up to 3rd on a fielder’s choice, but Kaitlyn Lawson and the Tiger defense would work out of it, and the score stayed tied at 0 after 3 innings.

Porter would keep the Tigers off base again in the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings, retiring 11 straight batters at one point. Lawson was matching her, only allowing a walk and base hit through that same stretch.

In the top of the 7th inning, Shaylee Sutherland singled with 1 out for the Tigers first hit of the game. after a strikeout, Katelyn Lawson would also get a single, putting runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs. Jersey Vail would turn and hit a scorching line drive, but it ended up in the glove of Fort Dodge 3rd baseman Meah McCaleb to end the inning.

In the bottom of the Seventh inning, Hope Alstott and Mackenzie McIlrath would start with back-to-back singles. With two runners on and no outs, Cadence Touney would move the runners up with a ground out to put them on second and third with 1 out. Lydia Lara laid down one more bunt which brought McIlrath across the plate for the game-winning run, and Fort Dodge advanced to the Class 4A Region 1 Final.

Lucy Porter would get the win for the Dodgers, throwing 7 innings, allowing 2 hits, 0 runs, walked a batter, and struck out 9.

Despite having arguably her best outing of the season, Kaitlyn Lawson would have to shoulder the loss, throwing 6.1 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 earned run, and walking a batter.

Fort Dodge will face Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley for the Class 4A Region 1 Championship and a trip to the State Tournament on Tuesday in Fort Dodge.

Spencer finishes their season with a 15-15 record, 4-4 Lakes Conference Record where they finished in a 3-way-tie for second, and their second straight season in the Regional Semi-Finals.