VAN HORNE, Ia. — The Eagle Grove Eagles softball team returned to action on Thursday night, as they made the long trip into Eastern Iowa to take on the Benton Community Bobcats in the Class 3A, Region 1 quarterfinals at Benton Community High School. Eagle Grove entered with a record of 16-11, while Benton Community entered at 14-20.
After a scoreless first, Eagle Grove would plate 2 runs in the 2nd, as Benton Community responded with a run in the bottom half as Eagle Grove led 2-1. The Eagles would add a run in the 3rd, before the Bobcats rallied in the bottom half with 2 runs of their own to tie the game at 3-3 after the third. That tie lasted into the 6th inning before Benton took the lead with 2 runs, before holding the Eagles off in the 7th for a 5-3 victory.
Johanna Flores-Baez took the loss, going 6 innings and allowing 5 runs (3 earned) off 7 hits and striking out 2. Addie Pampering would go 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Ellie Lenning went 2-for-3 with a double.
Benton Community advances to the Class 3A, Region 1 semifinals and will face #1 Williamsburg at Williamsburg High School on Saturday Night with first pitch at 7 PM. Eagle Grove’s season ends with a record of 16-12.