Amidst the glory and celebration of the Adel-Desoto-Minburn Tigers softball team (33-7 overall) qualifying for next week’s state tournament is the sacrifices individual members of the team made to get to Fort Dodge. Among those making changes for the betterment of the team is Ashley Tennant. Tennant, the Tigers’ lone senior, not only took on leadership duties but she also left her longtime position at third baseman to assume the role as ADM’s starting catcher. Tennant’s final home game featured a solo home run in the fourth inning, part of a six-run frame, helping ADM to an 8-1 victory over Norwalk in the Class 4A Region 3 championship game. The win ensures ADM’s first trip to the Iowa State Softball tournament since 2008. The Raccoon Valley Radio caught up with Tennant after Tuesday nights win and said she was overcome with emotions. “One, trying not to cry cause this is the last home but (also) pure excitement,” Tennant said, “We earn it. We worked so hard. This is what we worked for since the beginning of the season. First time in 10 years ( we made it to state), it feels good.”

Tennant and junior Emily Hatchitt are the only upperclassmen to play significant roles in ADM’s return to the state tournament. The starting lineup features five sophomores, two freshmen, and an eighth-grade designated player. The Iowa High School Athletic Union issued ADM the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A tournament Tuesday night, and the Tigers will face the Dallas Center-Grimes Fillies in the opening round Tuesday, July 17 in Fort Dodge with first pitch at 1 p.m. from the Buena Vista University Diamond.