The Southeast Valley varsity Softball team opened up IGHSAU tournament play in Harcourt on Thursday evening, making a statement against the visiting Braves from Cherokee Washington. The Jags took down the Braves in run rule fashion, earning the win 11-0 and advancing them to the regional semi-final on Saturday for a regular season rematch against the Eagles from Eagle Grove. 

Throughout the victory, the Jags were dominant on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the bats exploded for a total of 13 hits (including two home runs), 11 runs scored, and 18 base runners on the night. In the first inning, the Jaguars jumped on the board early, scoring three runs starting with senior Ellie Nolte. Nolte led off the inning with a double to left field, followed by a bun single from sophomore outfielder Camryn Lane. Nolte and Lane would advance two bases (Nolte scoring the first run of the game for the Jags) following a pair of pass balls from the Braves’ catcher. Chloe Lambert would keep the momentum going for the Jags, hitting a shot up the middle, scoring Lane from third. Jordyn Rowley would reach first on a walk, advancing Devon Olson (running for Lambert) to second. Olson slid into third safely on a well hit single down the third base line off the bat of sophomore Rian Schlief in order to load the bases for the Jags. Lauren Eslick would step into the box with a one out on the board and launch a high fly ball to center field scoring Olson from third on the SAC fly for the Jags third and final run of the inning. The momentum would stay with Southeast Valley in the second inning, seeing three more Jags cross home plate. Camryn Lane got the offense going in the second inning with a double to center field and would score on a single hit from Chloe Lambert. With Olson (again, running for Lambert) on second, Jordyn Rowley stepped into the batter's box and smashed a two run home run to her family in right field, towering over the scoreboard, bringing the Jaguar lead to 6-0. Rian Schlief would also single in the second, but would be left on base. Southeast Valley’s hitting stayed contagious in the third inning where they scored an additional four runs starting with a lead off bunt-single from junior Lauren Eslick. Eslick would sit at first with two outs on the board when Ellie Nolte started the two out rally, getting her second hit of the evening, a single down the left field line. Nolte’s hit would score Eslick from first and move herself to second on the throw home from the Braves left fielder. Camryn Lane would prove to be a tough out for the Cherokee Washington pitcher, winning a 16 pitch at bat to walk her way to first base. Nolte and Lane sat in scoring position for Chloe Lambert. Lambert launched a “no doubter” (homerun) of her own in the third inning to score three runs for the Jaguars. Jordyn Rowley and Rian Schlief would each reach base following Lambert’s shot to center, but the offense couldn’t produce any more runs in the third. In the fourth and final offensive inning for Southeast Valley, Kenna Scott would start the offense, leading off with a single hit to the right side. After stealing second base, Scott would cross home plate for the 11th and final run for the Jags on Ellie Nolte’s third hit of the night, a double shot to left field, 

Defensively, the Jaguars had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage on the night behind a stellar performance from Chloe Lambert in the circle. The Jags saw tremendous effort and execution from all positions, however the highlight reel would show many great plays, leaping and diving catches, runners thrown out at home, and hustle plays, by the Jaguar outfielders consisting of Camryn Lane (left field), Alex Kitchen (center field), and Riley Carlson (right field). On the mound, Lambert faced 18 batters on the night. Chloe allowed one hit, walked just three, and struck out six. 

The Jaguars look to carry this momentum in the regional semi-final on Saturday in Eagle Grove. Game time is set for seven o’clock in Eagle Grove.Earlier in the season, the Jags faced the Eagles and fell in extras, now they look to avenge the loss in order to continue their season.