The West Fork softball team took control offensively while playing sound defense, and recorded the program’s first state tournament victory when it defeated Durant 7-1 in a 2A quarterfinal Tuesday, as aired on 104.9 KLMJ.
Each team put runners in scoring position in the first two innings, but the defenses held strong. But in the third, it all changed when Preslee Dickman stepped up to the plate.
It was Dickman’s third home run of the season, and it completely swung the momentum in West Fork’s favor. Later in the inning, Brylee Dickman drove in a run on a single for a 3-0 lead. The offensive onslaught continued in the fourth, when Preslee Dickman drove in two runs on a double, followed by RBIs by Libby Trewin and Brylee Dickman. That completed West Fork’s scoring, but the defense held strong. Trewin on the historic win.
“It’s exciting, and I think we’re excited to go back in tomorrow playing in another chance to go to the state championship,” Trewin says. “I think we came in with great energy this time, had a great mindset and we came out swinging. Winning 7-1, I think it shows that we are a good team and we’re here to play. We’re not here to back down or match someone else’s level. So we’re here to win. We’re here to rile people up and we’re here to shock people with the amount of energy that we have.”
Head Coach Sadie Winfrey on the all-around team effort.
“It’s hard to be the one that doesn’t start first,” Winfrey says. “So I’m proud of Preslee and doing that to kind of start it for us. And then we typically have that domino effect where if someone can start it for the team, everyone gets high. That’s what we really need, a full team that is able to give it their all and able to show up. And it makes it easier for the whole team, not pressure on certain people, certain situations. And I’m just proud that they have a team around them that they know is going to show up and come to play.”
Trewin recorded eight strikeouts and one walk. Offensively, JoAnna Wallace and Brylee Dickman each had three hits, along with Preslee Dickman’s four RBIs.
It has advanced them to Wednesday’s semifinal against top-seeded Van Meter. Preslee Dickman on the rematch of last year’s quarterfinal, won 10-0 by the Bulldogs.
“We know that we have to cover stolen bases a lot better,” Dickman says. “I think we have gotten a lot better out there this year and we really do have our confidence up so that’ll be good.”
Pregame coverage will start at 2:30, followed by the first pitch at 3:00 on 104.9 KLMJ.
