Van Meter gets statement win over Albia in state softball opener

FORT DODGE — To say Van Meter was playing with a chip on its shoulder against Albia in the first round of the Class 3A state softball tournament would be an understatement.

The Bulldogs are the two-time defending 2A state champions, but after moving up to 3A this season not a lot of people were giving them a chance to surpass powers Williamsburg and Wahlert Catholic. They entered state as the No. 6 seed in 3A.

But Van Meter showed it is for real on July 20 with a decisive 10-2 victory over No. 3 seed Albia in five innings at the Rogers Sports Complex.

"A lot of people thought we were underdogs coming from a smaller class up to 3A," said Van Meter center fielder Mady Schnell. "All of the teams here are so good — they're here for a reason. But I feel like we're here to show them who we actually are."

Van Meter lit up Albia ace Grace Pence for 10 runs on 12 hits.

Pence came into the game leading 3A with an incredible 0.17 ERA and 345 strikeouts, but the UNI recruit was no match for the Bulldogs' potent lineup. Especially Schnell, who went 3-for-4 with a triple, home run and four RBIs.

Schnell's home run was a two-run bomb over the fence in center field during the top of the fourth inning. That made the score 5-2 and opened the flood gates.

"I was honestly just looking for the base hit," Schnell said. "That was pretty awesome just to have that happen here."

Van Meter plated five more runs in the top of the fifth to end the game early on account of the 8-run mercy rule that goes into effect after five innings.

Aniston Netten added a towering two-run homer of her own in the top of the fifth inning for the Bulldogs. She was also the winning pitcher, giving up two earned runs on three hits and three walks before turning the game over to Jillian Womansky.

"It was not my best, but Jilly, she's a great pitcher to pick me up when I'm not doing well," said Netten. "It's just so fun to have that. I couldn't be more thankful for that."

Ashlan Small was 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI, Brooklyn Piller 1-for-2 with two runs and Ivy Vaught 1-for-2 with one run and RBI apiece for Van Meter. The Bulldogs will take a 33-6 record into Game 8 of the championship bracket against No. 2 Wahlert Catholic on July 21.

"Going forward, we're just going to take it game by game," Netten said. "Prepare for the next and do what we can."

Albia fell to 32-2. The Lady Dees are still alive in the championship bracket of the double elimination tournament, as they will face West Delaware in Game 7 of the championship bracket on July 21.

Pence gave up nine earned runs on 12 hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in five innings as the losing pitcher. Brooke Rubel and Ayla Greene both drove in a run for Albia.

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Van Meter gets statement win over Albia in state softball opener