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Top stars, best performances on Day 3 of the Iowa high school softball state tournaments

Some of the top performances from Wednesday's action
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By Barry Poe

During the Iowa State High School Softball Tournament, SBLive will compile a list of top performances each day. 

This is the third installment for semifinal games played Wednesday, July 20, in Fort Dodge. 

Mariah Myers, Fort Dodge

The freshman hit two doubles in three at-bats, driving in three runs as the defending Class 5A state champion Dodgers cruised back to the title game with a 10-0 win over West Des Moines Valley in six innings in a semifinal. Fort Dodge will play Waukee Northwest for the state championship.

Jalen Adams, Fort Dodge

The senior standout was dominant for the second straight game, pitching a three-hit shutout after dialing a no-hitter in a quarterfinal. The Dodgers blanked West Des Moines Valley 10-0 in a semifinal contest as Adams struck out eight.

Maddie Oetzmann, Waukee Northwest

The junior had another outstanding pitching performance in a 7-2 Class 5A semifinal win over Muscatine. Oetzmann allowed just two hits after a four-hit quarterfinal shutout of Linn-Mar. She also had two hits, ushering the Wolves into the championship game in their first season as a program.

Zurri Patterson, Waukee Northwest

The freshman hit two doubles and drove in a run in a 7-2 win over Muscatine in a Class 5A semifinal. The Wolves will play defending champion Fort Dodge for the title on Thursday.

Jena Young, Winterset

The senior University of Iowa recruit hit her state-leading 21st home run of the season and added a double in a 7-1 win over Carlisle in a Class 4A semifinal. The Huskies advanced to their second straight state championship game and will play Dallas Center-Grimes.

Olivia Huston, Dallas Center-Grimes

The junior hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning to give DC-G the lead for good, and it went on to down North Scott 9-3 in a Class 4A semifinal. Dallas Center-Grimes will play Winterset for the state championship.

Aubrey Johansen, Dallas Center-Grimes

The sophomore was not only the winning pitcher in a 9-3 4A semifinal win over North Scott, but also finished 4-for-4 at the plate with a double. The Mustangs overcame an early 3-0 deficit to advance to the title game.

Kenna Rollinger, Mount Vernon

The sophomore catcher drove in one of the two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning of the Mustangs’ 2-0 Class 3A semifinal win over Saydel. Rollinger had her team’s only two hits and Mount Vernon moved on to the championship game against Davenport Assumption.

Jenna Sprague, Mount Vernon

The senior pitched a one-hit shutout and the Mustangs topped Saydel 2-0 in a Class 3A semifinal. Sprague had six strikeouts and allowed only a single to Ryley Pecina.

Bella Nigey, Assumption

The senior DePaul University signee spun a two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts in a 1-0 victory over Williamsburg in a Class 3A semifinal that lasted just 88 minutes. That set up a rematch of last year’s championship game between Assumption (36-8) and Mount Vernon (35-4).

Helen Sons, Assumption

The junior ripped a double off the right field fence in the fourth inning for the only run as Assumption edged Williamsburg 1-0 in a Class 3A semifinal. The Knights will be playing for their fifth state title in six seasons.

Taylor Drayfahl, Wilton

The junior shortstop was 4-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored as the sixth-seeded Beavers rolled to a 14-1 win over second seed North Union in six innings in a Class 2A semifinal. Wilton (28-6) will take on River Valley Conference rival and fourth-seeded Iowa City Regina in the championship game. The teams split two games this season.

Emma Nibaur, Iowa City Regina

The senior picked up the pitching win and drove in two runs as the fourth-seeded Regals stunned top seed Central Springs 7-4 in a Class 2A semifinal. Regina (23-11) took advantage of three Central Springs errors in the third and fourth innings to advance to the championship game against Wilton.

Jillian Panther, Iowa City Regina

The junior had two hits and knocked in three runs in the Regals’ 7-4 win over Central Springs in a Class 2A semifinal. Regina and Wilton each knocked off higher seeds to reach the 2A title game.

Emma King, Southeast Warren

The senior outfielder hit a three-run homer in the top of the second inning and the Warhawks went on to handle top-ranked North Linn 6-2 in a Class 1A semifinal. Southeast Warren (25-4) will play Twin Cedars for the 1A championship.

Alivia Ruble, Southeast Warren

The junior limited top seed North Linn to two hits and smacked a home run in the Warhawks’ 6-2 win in a Class 1A semifinal. Ruble had seven strikeouts and four walks and Southeast Warren outhit North Linn 9-2.

Ali Mockenhaupt, Twin Cedars

The senior was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, leading the Sabers to a 7-2 win over Martensdale-St. Marys in a Class 1A semifinal. Jillian French also had two hits and drove in three and Twin Cedars moved on to the 1A championship game against Southeast Warren.

Grace Bailey, Twin Cedars

The senior recorded a pitching win, delivered two hits and drove in a run as the Sabers downed Martensdale-St. Marys 7-2 in a Class 1A semifinal. Bailey gave up six hits, struck out four and did not walk a batter. She did not allow a run until the seventh inning.