Defending champion Dowling Catholic scored three runs in the top of the fifth and got a 3 hitter from senior pitcher Claudia Farrell as the second rated Maroons got by number-seven Pleasant Valley 4-1 in a class 5A quarterfinal.
Farrell says she was concerned when the game was scoreless heading to the fifth inning. After falling behind 4-0, Pleasant Valley scored its lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Spartans had a chance to score the first run in the bottom of the fourth but failed to convert with a runner at third and one out.
Markee Brown’s RBI single in the top of the sixth inning scored the first run of the game as third ranked Southeast Polk edged sixth rated Cedar Rapids Jefferson 2-0 in a class 5A quarterfinal.
Southeast Polk coach Tia Stiles says she was confident her team would find a way to score. Jefferson failed to score despite registering 7 hits.