Lady Hawks power through Monticello

GOOD START

We know these regional games are important, so we want to get off to a good start.”

Jalyn Hawk, Central Lee pitcher

DONNELLSON — It wasn’t just that Central Lee’s softball team had 11 hits.
It was also about the sound of those hits.
It was a noisy night for the Hawks’ offense in the 11-0 win over Monticello in Thursday’s Class 3A Region 5 quarterfinal.
Central Lee (22-8) advanced to Saturday’s semifinal at No. 10 Washington (27-9). The Demons advanced with a 22-0 win over Midland.
It seemed like every ball the Hawks hit in this win had some steam to it when it left the bat, something coach Jason Hawk appreciated.
“We hit the ball hard up and down the lineup,” Hawk said. “That’s the best we’ve hit the ball, 1 through 9, all season. We came focused, and that’s what the girls have to keep going with.”
“Usually we don’t get going until a little later in the game,” said pitcher Jalyn Hawk, whose two-run home run in the first inning was an early message. “We know these regional games are important, so we want to get off to a good start.”
So many of these Hawks have been through the postseason before that they weren’t about to overlook Monticello (8-22).
“That’s one thing I talked to the girls about, because nobody's going to lay down and let you win,” Jason Hawk said.
Hawk pointed out the 9-7 loss to Danville on July 1 that kept Central Lee from going undefeated in Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division play.
“Danville outplayed us, you let people hang around with you and stuff and give them confidence and stuff they can beat you,” Hawk said. “And that's something that we don't want to do anymore.”
There was no danger of that in this game the way the Hawks started.
Central Lee scored three runs in the first inning, and then four in the second and four in the third. Jalyn Hawk drove in three runs, and she was one of three players with two hits, joining Jaci Hawk and Carlee Pezley. Jaci Hawk, Pezley, and Kenna Sandoval each scored two runs.
Every Central Lee hitter reached base once.
“Every pitch, we’ve been working on what we want to do,” Jason Hawk said. “Sometimes it can take a long time for an offense to come together, and the season really isn’t that long. It takes a while to get everyone jelling at the right time, and maybe we’ve hit our stride at the right point.”
Jalyn Hawk, meanwhile, was keeping Monticello from getting anything going. She allowed just two hits, both to leadoff hitter Alayna Tallman, and struck out three.
She was also helped by strong defense behind her. Catcher Marie Young threw out Tallman at third base to end the third inning, then fielded a ball in front of the plate and threw out Kayla Anduser at first to start the fourth inning. Payten Ries’ line drive after that play was snagged by a leaping Sandoval at third base for the second out, then Hawk got Kylee McElmeel to pop out to end the game.
“I try to put the ball where the batter can hit it and I know my defense has my back,” Hawk said. “I just trust my team. I just try to do my job and they have my back —  they made some big plays for me.”
The Hawks have a quick turnaround before facing Washington. The Demons beat Central Lee 5-3 on June 25 at Iowa’s Pearl Field in their only matchup this season.
“We were so close last year,” said Jason Hawk, referring to Central Lee’s run to the regional final. “These girls are hungry to make another run.”