Boyden, Iowa — #2 Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley moved on to the Class 3A Region 2 final after defeating Estherville Lincoln Central 14-2 in 6 innings at Boyden Friday night.
The Nighthawks were the first to score in the top of the third. Brianna Kleinwolterink would reach on a walk, got to 2nd base on a sacrifice bunt, and Sammy Blum singled to center to drive in the run. The scoring continued in the third, Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag walked, and Keely Swanson hit a shot to center to drive in 2 more runs, making it 3-0 Nighthawks after three innings of work.
With the bases loaded in the 4th for the Nighthawks, Blum would drop a double in the gap to clear the bases, getting her 4th RBI of the night, and making it 6-0 BHRV. Still in the 4th inning, the Nighthawks loaded the bases again, and Swanson laid down the sac bunt to drive in Blum, pushing the score to 7-0. 2 more runs came into score later in the inning, making it 9-0 after the top of the 4th.
The Midgets finally got on the board in the bottom of the 4th adding two runs, but Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley countered with another run in the 5th to make it 10-2 Nighthawks. In the 6th, BHRV added another 4 runs to make it 14-2, and that would be your final.
Van Der Zwaag got the win by going the distance while striking out 10, and gave up only 1 earned run on 2 hits, and 2 walks.
Morgan White took the loss for ELC. White went 3 1/3 innings, giving up 7 earned on 6 walks, and 4 hits.
With the win, the Nighthawks improve to 31-2 on the year, and will play Spirit Lake, who defeated Clear Lake 10-5, on Monday, July 10th at Boyden Centennial Park at 7 pm for the Class 3A Region 2 title and a trip to state. Estherville-Lincoln Central ends their year at 15-20.
