The bright spotlight of a state championship game wasn’t too much for Winterset freshman Neela Applegate.  The young first baseman delivered a line drive two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to give Winterset a 3-1 victory over Dallas Center Grimes in the Class 4A state championship game.  It was the Huskies second state title in the past 3 years after winning it all in 2020.

The game featured two of the best offenses in the state but it was the starting pitching that stole the show early.  Winterset’s Thea Banning escaped early trouble forcing the Mustangs to strand five runners through the first three innings.  The veteran got stronger as the game went along retiring ten of the final eleven batters she faced.  Olivia Huston delivered a one out double in the top of the seventh to bring the tying run to the plate but Banning enticed a ground out from Elle Nelson and struck out Lydia Zaruba on a rise ball to send Husky nation into a frenzy.

Iowa commit Jena Young was once again the spark plug scoring a pair of runs and finishing 2-3 in earning the MVP/Captain of the All Tournament team.  Riley Kious delivered a RBI single in the third and was named to the all Tournament team as well.  Bridget Stover added two hits.  Stover and Banning were both selected to the All Tournament team.

Aubrey Johansen pitched well for Dallas Center Grimes, allowing three runs in six innings while issuing only one walk.  Huston provided the lone RBI for DCG with a base hit in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game.  DCG finished with six hits and close out the season 35-7.

You can listen to the game via on the on demand archive at RaccoonValleyradio.com, via the KKRF app or website.