FONDA — The ninth-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond softball team is one win away from achieving their goal.
To do that, though, they will have to knock off rival Newell-Fonda.
The Gaels and No. 4 Mustangs meet here Monday night in the 1A, Region 2 final. First-pitch is set for 7 p.m. with the winner qualifying for the state tournament, which begins next week at Rogers Park in Fort Dodge.
St. Edmond (22-11 overall) scored a second consecutive postseason shutout last Friday night vs. West Fork to advance, 3-0. Kaili Henning struck out seven and drove in a run, while Ansley Oswald had two hits.
Henning has 144 strikeouts and an earned run average of just 1.59 coming into the game, while also driving in 24 with 31 hits including seven doubles and a home run.
Lauren Gibb is batting .440 with 35 runs, 23 steals and 17 RBI for the Gaels.
Newell-Fonda (28-8) started the year with a 7-1 win over St. Edmond and has now claimed victory in five of the last six matchups.
Mia Walker, a state champion in the 100-meter dash who has signed with Des Moines Area to play softball, has moved into the circle after all-stater Kierra Jungers suffered an injury. Walker owns 18 wins and 214 strikeouts in 151 innings while also hitting .513 with 48 runs, 37 RBI, 37 steals, 12 doubles and five triples.
Anna Mercer is hitting .353 with 38 RBI and 18 steals.