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Norwalk’s return to the State Softball Tournament began with a first round loss Monday afternoon as fifth-ranked Carlisle plated six two-out runs and defeated the fourth-ranked Warriors 8-4 in a Class 4A quarterfinal at Harlan Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge.

In a game broadcast live on FM 94.3 KNIA, the Wildcats built a 4-0 lead by the top of the fourth and scored four runs with two out in the sixth to make it 8-2. Carlisle totaled 10 hits and also took advantage of nine walks and two hit batsmen, improving to 28-10 and advancing to Wednesday’s semifinal round to face top-seeded Winterset at 11:30 a.m.

Norwalk, which cut the margin to 4-2 following solo home runs by Lauren Black in the fourth inning and Bailey Birmingham in the fifth, dropped to 29-8 overall. The Warriors will finish their season today in the state consolation bracket, playing Burlington at 1:00 p.m.

Norwalk head coach Beau Livingston tells KNIA Sports that the Warriors entered the day knowing the importance of recording a quick first out each inning but simply struggled to get it done. The Wildcats put their leadoff batter on five times and scored multiple runs in three of those innings. They also hit well with two outs, including Reagan Roling’s two-run single in the second inning, Lauren McGriff’s RBI double in the sixth and Caylin Furnal’s two-run single one batter later.

Carlisle also stole four bases, raising their 4A-best total to 185 on the season.

“When they get on base to start an inning, then they do a lot of different things to cause havoc,” Livingston said. “We just could not get out one it seemed, and we could never really grab hold of momentum. Every time we scored, it seemed like they came back and got a leadoff hit or a leadoff walk and a stolen base and a bunt. Then they found a couple two-out hits.

“So it was a frustrating game from that standpoint. We just couldn’t find or make any of our own breaks. Credit to Carlisle – they deserved it. They were the better team today for sure.”

Norwalk junior pitcher Zadie Wadle battled a tight strike zone and threw a lot of pitches in 5 ⅔ innings, allowing 10 hits and seven earned runs. Wadle, now 18-5, issued four walks, hit two batters and struck out six. Addi Downe and Olivia Dougherty both pitched in relief.

In addition to Black’s fifth home run of the year and Birmingham’s first, the Warriors added two runs in the sixth on Wadle’s two-RBI single. Black also doubled and went 2-for-4 at the plate. Birmingham was 2-for-3 and Nyah Hulbert hit a double.

McGriff had a three-hit game for Carlisle while seven other Wildcats chipped in one hit apiece. Freshman Logan Brown pitched the first 4 ⅓ innings for the win and Addesyn Abel recorded the final eight outs for the save. They combined for nine strikeouts and just two walks.

Today’s Norwalk-Burlington consolation game can be heard live on kniakrls.com (KNIA3). Coach Livingston says he talked with his players after Monday’s game about seizing a rare opportunity to end their season with a victory.

“We get to come back to Fort Dodge and we get to play together as a team and we get the opportunity to try to finish on a winning note,” Livingston said. “And it would be win number 30 on the year, which would be a big milestone for our program as well. So a lot to play for (Tuesday). I imagine our kids will be fired up and ready to go.”