For the first time since 2010, the Hinton softball team advanced to the state tournament with a 7-1 win over West Lyon in Larchwood on Monday night.
The Blackhawks have been so close in year’s past but have never been able to get past the regional tournament. They even lost to West Lyon in the region final last year. Head coach Jennifer Jacobs-List says the moment is special after the program waited 16 years to get back to state.
Hinton’s matchup with West Lyon pit them against a Wildcat team that played in the state championship game last year. Coach Jacobs-List says her team was prepared well for the game, and it showed early on.
The Blackhawks put two runs on the board in the first inning getting their offense started right away with a double from Addison Dunkel. The rest followed suit in putting together a complete effort at the plate. Coach Jacobs-List says the philosophy was to make sure to swing at their pitch and hit it hard once they did.
Kayla Sypersma tossed another gem for the Blackhawks in the circle. She allowed three hits, a run, and struck out three batters as part of the win. Coach Jacobs-List says the pitching staff has been phenomenal in the postseason, and Sypersma’s performance yesterday was no different.
This appearance at state softball caps a school year in which Hinton had a state runner-up finish in girls basketball and volleyball, a state qualification in girls cross country, girls wrestling, girls golf, and girls track. Coach Jacobs-List says she is so proud of the school and the community that supports her athletes.
Hinton’s first appearance in 16 years will be very different from their previous one for a number of reasons. Most importantly, the IGHSAU recently adopted a double-elimination format for this year’s tournament. Coach Jacobs-List says the new format does not change the fact that her team still needs to play one game at a time to be successful.
Hinton’s first matchup takes place on Monday at 12:15 PM where they will take on Iowa City Regina on Hy-Vee Field at Rogers Park. That field is one of the three new turf fields where the old consolation fields were at Rogers Park in Fort Dodge.
