The top seeded and defending state champion Winterset softball team rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat Oskaloosa 7-4 in the opening round of the Class 4A state softball championship in Ft Dodge.  Thea Banning lifted a two strike, two out fly ball to the fence in left centerfield scoring a pair of runs to give Winterset a 5-4 lead.  Following a Jena Young intentional walk, Riley Kious shot an opposite field basehit scoring a pair of runs with Young scoring following an Indian throwing error.

Banning was solid inside the circle allowing just three earned runs over seven innings while striking out five.  Winterset outhit Oskaloosa 8 to 7.  Jena Young led the offense with aggressive baserunning scoring three runs on exceptional base running plays.  Kious finished with two hits.  Winterset played without All Conference player Lauren Carter.  Neela Applegate stepped up in her first varsity start reaching base twice including a key base hit to start the rally in the 6th inning.

Winterset will play Boone today at 3:30 in the first semifinal at Ft Dodge.  The Huskies defeated Boone twice during the regular season winning 6-1 and 6-2.  Boone dominated Carlisle in the opening round yesterday 5-0.