Mount Ayr prepapred to ‘wreck it’

Returning to the softball state tournament for the second time in as many years, Mount Ayr (10-4) is prepared to “wreck it” at the 2020 tournament as its set to face third-seeded Ogden (19-3) Tuesday in Class 2A.

Entering the 2019 state tournament, the Raiderettes were riding a wave of success as they rattled off 11 consecutive wins before postseason play began, making a push for a third-place finish. This year, with COVID-19 shortening the season, Mount Ayr is picking up steam at the right time.

“This year comes around and we’ve already done it,” Mount Ayr head coach Bret Ruggles said. “That can do two things. One, it can put a little pressure on your team because people expect you to do it again. ... Also, when you do it once, you get a feel like, ‘I can do it again.’ It doesn’t seem so insurmountable.”

Getting to experience the tournament one year ago, Ruggles said this year might be a little more business-like because the team won’t be able to stay in the dorms, and this year has a different feel, thinking there isn’t a team in Class 2A Mount Ayr won’t be able to compete with compared to other years.

The Raiderettes felt the pressure during the season to return to Fort Dodge, but since securing the trip, the expectations remain the same.

“I tell my girls, ‘we’re not expected to win,’” Ruggles said. “Obviously we’re the six seed, so the expectations from the state [are] that you’re not going to get a win up there, and that’s fine. ... The goal is you want to flip the tournament. You upset Ogden and then you try to get that next win, whether it’s Underwood or Louisa-Muscatine. You just keep battling and try to make the tournament as messy as possible, in hopes that that keeps us alive.”

Winning the state tournament is the ultimate goal for Mount Ayr and every other team that plays each season, but Ruggles said he thinks they’re a little inexperienced “in key spots” to make a full state-title push, but are only a year or two away from being able to win it all.

However, Ruggles said he has been told “nothing really matters after you make the tournament,” so it’s a three-game race and the Raiderettes have a chance to get hot with an upset early.

Teammates’ inexperience won’t stop the resiliency of the Raiderettes’ senior duo of Sam Stewart and Abigail Barnes.

The two playing prime positions, shortstop and catcher, respectively, were on the verge of “turning that chapter” before offical word on a 2020 season, but having one more chance kept them wearing a black and red uniform for a few more months.

Stewart enters the tournament hitting a conference-high .558 while Barnes keeps the infield in check, helping settle the infield in tough spots. For Ruggles, he has seen fight in the team in each of their games, but his pair of seniors aren’t going to let their final season end without a fight.

“Those two seniors have fought all year long on just trying to stay alive,” Ruggles said.. “They know any loss takes them home. That taking them home means the last time they’ll ever wear a Raiderette jersey. Whether it’s basketball, softball, track, volleyball it doesn’t matter. That jersey is officially done.

“Some seniors are OK with that, some seniors come to terms with that and some seniors just seem to fight, refuse to let that happen. I’ve got two seniors like that right now. They refuse to lose,” Ruggles said.

Key pieces

Mount Ayr enters Tuesday with experience in an abundance of positions, except pitcher.

Sophomore pitcher Addy Reynolds enters Tuesday’s matchup with Ogden coming off the biggest game of her young high school career. She held Earlham to three runs through seven innings, keeping the Cardinals to one run through six innings after allowing two in the first inning.

Through three postseason games in Class 2A Region 2, Reynolds allowed two earned runs as opponents have scored five total runs in the three-game stretch.

The success after losing standout pitcher Caroline McAlexander in 2019 has shown the Raiderettes having a line of succession for the future. Last season, Reynolds played third base in Mount Ayr’s state run, pitching only nine innings. But, the 2020 tournament is Reynolds’ time.

“You’re going to have to have control and trust. Control over your pitches, understand what we’re trying to do with each batter,” Ruggles said on what Reynolds will have to do to succeed in her first state game in the circle. “Don’t try to overthrow. ... We’re really working on Addy about that right now, just taking one pitch at a time like we have been all year.”

Taking the reigns this season, Reynolds has been exceptional. She has thrown 78 innings in 13 games pitched. Her 1.62 ERA is best for fourth in the conference, along with her third-place ranking with a .168 opponents’ batting average.

Ruggles said he is confident in Reynolds’ ability to pitch well and “trust her team.”

Behind her, Ruggles feels just as confident in the defense, as Reynolds, making the plays to keep Mount Ayr in a close game against Ogden’s Denali Loecker.

As a senior, Loecker has been tough for opponents all season, but Mount Ayr’s offensive capabilities to create rallies down to its last out is a major strength.

The Raiderettes are hitting .349 as a team, third in the Pride of Iowa. Stewart, paired with sophomore Alexa Anderson, are going to be the key pieces for Mount Ayr’s lineup, like they have all season.

Anderson averaged .487 at the plate in her junior campaign with a .795 slugging percentage. She has one home run and a team-high 15 RBIs.

Bulldog breakdown

Ogden enters the 2020 state tournament as one of four returning Class 2A state tournament teams, including Mount Ayr.

The Bulldogs bring back a major threat in Loecker. She leads the West Central Conference with a 1.44 ERA, one spot ahead of Earlham’s Madeline Janssen’s 1.77 the Raiderettes faced Monday.

Through 19 games, Loecker has 138 strikeouts while opponents are hitting .194.

“(Loecker) is amazing. She’s going to Iowa for a reason,” Ruggles said. “She can flat out hit a softball. She’s impressive watching her on film. ... But, our offense is very impressive, too. When we’re clicking really well, we can string together a lot of hits. We had 11 hits on Earlham. Not many teams have been able to do that against (Janssen).”

Big wins for Ogden this season come from a 2-1 win over Van Meter (14-9) late in the season – who fell in the regional semifinal to Earlham 8-2 – and a 5-4 win over Earlham (19-5) in the third game of the season.

The Bulldogs’ bats compare to the strength of their pitcher. As a team, Ogden is hitting .380, highlighted by Loecker’s .565 average with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs.

With an upperclassmen heavy lineup, five other Bulldog batters are hitting above .375. Seniors Jenna Palmer (.455), Hannah Dutcher (.444), Gabby Ross (.381), Meredith Adreon (.435) and junior Reagan Church (.389) are the offensive leaders.

Church has contributed 30 RBIs while Dutcher has driven in 23 runs. Palmer has recorded 21 RBIs of her own.

Despite the tough competition from third-seeded Ogden, Ruggles feels the game is going to be very offensive and will be about “how fast can we get 21 outs?”

“When you get to the state tournament, nothing really matters before that,” Ruggles said. “I’ve seen weird state tournaments where an eight (seed) beats a one (seed), a seven (seed) beats a two (seed). You never really know until you get up there and let the craziness begin the second the first pitch starts.”