Jefferson Softball

J-Hawks finish 7th at state softball

FORT DODGE - It took three games and 19 innings, but the Jefferson J-Hawks finally scored some runs at the Class 5A state softball tournament.

Jefferson tallied twice in the top of the seventh inning Wednesday and blanked 10th-ranked Waukee, 2-0, on a three-hit shutout by Alyssa Olson to finish seventh at the state meet.

The sixth-ranked J-Hawks lost to No.7 Pleasant Valley, 12-0 in six innings, earlier Wednesday in a consolation game.

Jefferson (35-8) and Waukee (25-19) were tied, 0-0, entering the seventh inning. Maddie Hansen drew a walk, Kennedy Dighton reached on an infield error and Erin Kuba singled to load the bases.

Tori Brandon drove in Jefferson's first run with a single. Kuba was credited with stealing home for Jefferson's second run.

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No. 6 J-Hawks stranded at state softball

FORT DODGE - They don't keep any records at the state softball tournament for how many runners you leave on base in the first four innings of a ballgame.

Likewise, they don't keep records for how many times you fail to execute a sacrifice bunt.

If they did, the Jefferson J-Hawks might have their name all over the record book for missed opportunities on a big stage.

Jefferson left a whopping 10 runners on base in the first four innings and  never scored in a 2-0 loss to No. 3 Southeast Polk Tuesday in the opening round of the Class 5A state tournament at the Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge.

The sixth-ranked J-Hawks (34-7) will face No. 7 Pleasant Valley (30-9) in a consolation game Wednesday at 10 a.m. in hopes of battling back for fifth place.

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9 Metro girls make all-district teams

Nine players from Metro high schools have been named to the All-District Softball Teams by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association.

Maddie Hansen and Alyssa Olson of the state-bound Jefferson J-Hawks were named to the Class 5A East squad. Tianna Drahn of Kennedy and Ashley Hamilton of Kennedy also made the Class 5A honor squad, along with Katie Sommer of Linn-Mar, Gabi Carter of Prairie and Bria Lenten of Washington.

Erin Drahozal and Hayley Deutmeyer of Xavier were selected for the Class 4A Northeast team.

Jeff's Schafer named to softball 'Hall'

Cedar Rapids Jefferson graduate Melissa Schafer has been named to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's Softball Hall of Fame.

Schafer starred in the outfield for the J-Hawks from 1984 to 1987. She was a three-time all-state selection and helped Jefferson compile a 215-40 record during her career.

Schafer helped Jefferson finish third at the 1984 state tournament and was named to the all-tournament team. She batted .456 as a senior and led the state with 73 hits. She led the state in runs scored as a junior with 68.

Schafer played two years at the University of Northern Iowa and started in center field.

Molly McClelland of West Des Moines, Whitney McElrath of Woodbury Central and Sammy Snygg of North Polk also have been named to the Hall of Fame.