WILLIAMSBURG, Ia. — The Roland-Story Norsemen softball made the drive to Eastern Iowa on Tuesday evening, as the Norsemen took on the Williamsburg Raiders in the Class 3A, Region 1 Final. Roland-Story entered with a record of 24-8 and ranked #12 in Class 3A, while Williamsburg entered with a record of 36-5 and ranked #1 in Class 3A.
The top-ranked Raiders were able to ambush Roland-Story in the first inning with 4 runs behind a pair of home runs to take a 4-0 lead, before adding a run in the 2nd to put Williamsburg up 5-0 after 2. Roland-Story did find their footing as Evelyn Carlson launched her 8th home run of the year on a 2-run blast to center field in the 3rd inning to cut the score to 5-2. However, Williamsburg was prepared to answer, adding a run in the 4th, before scoring 3 more runs in the 5th before quieting the Norse bats to collect a 9-2 victory and a chance to defend the state title for the 4th year in a row.
Miley Geise was the losing pitcher, going 4.2 innings and allowing 9 runs (8 earned) on 8 hits and striking out 4. Evelyn Carlson went 1-for-4 with a 2-run home run, while Jenna Birkland went 2-for-3.
Williamsburg advances to the Class 3A State Tournament in Fort Dodge on Monday, as they’ll face 8th-seeded West Liberty in the first round at 11:15 AM. Roland-Story’s season ends with a record of 24-9.