The tournament trail seemed to get easier for Turkey Valley as they won their first game by a run in extra innings, won their second contest in regulation by a run, 4-3 over Sumner-Fredericksburg, and won the regional semi-final game Tuesday night, 3-0 over North Butler.
    Chances are the next game won’t be easy at all. The fourth-rated Trojans were scheduled to take on top-rated BCLUW Thursday night at Waterloo West. “BCLUW is ranked #1 for a reason,” explained Trojan coach Randy Novotny. “We know they have a solid pitcher and a twin sister catcher who has hit 11 home runs.  This will be a tough test for us.”
    After the North Butler win, pitcher Meagan Novotny had 2107 strikeouts, 68 behind career leader Jen Bice with 2175.
    The win over Sumner-Fredericksburg came on July 5. All four runs for the Trojans were scored in the fifth inning. Down 3-0 at the time, two runners were on base when Haley Kriener knocked over her sixth home run of the season to tie the game. Abby Kriener was one of the runners, she had started the rally with a bunt single. Samantha Shimak then walked, was sacrificed to second by Madison McKone, took third on a wild pitch and scored the winning run on a passed ball.
    Meagan Novotny was 2 for 3 at the plate with a pair of doubles. She pitched the win, in seven innings allowing no earned runs with 12 strikeouts and two hits. There were three Trojan errors.
    “Once again we are very fortunate to come away with a win,” said the coach. “We are becoming a big inning ball club. Haley’s home run was huge, but Abby’s bunt single and Sam’s walk are almost as big as the three-run shot.”
    Tuesday night the game with North Butler had both teams finishing with four hits, there was only one error in the game and that was by North Butler.
    Jordan Schmitt walked in the third inning and scored on the error. In the fifth she doubled off the fence with two away, the Bearcats chose to walk Haley Kriener, but that brought up Shimak, who delivered a line drive double to score both runners.
    North Butler threatened in the sixth, loading the bases with one out, but Novotny struck out the #3 and #4 batters to end the inning.
    Shimak was 3 for 3 on the night with two doubles and RBIs. Novotny struck out another 12, with four hits.
    “We played more Turkey Valley softball tonight with solid defense and timely hitting,” noted Novotny.  “Sam sure came up big with a three for three night and made them pay for pitching around Haley when she slammed the double, knocking in two.”
    The coach added, “North Butler is a solid team and they didn't have any seniors, so look for them to be one of the top teams in the state next year.  They are also a very classy team from their coaches to the players and fans.  Win or lose I always enjoy battling North Butler.  Playing them makes the game fun.”