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West High created opportunities in its postseason opener on Thursday at Ottumwa.

The Trojans just couldn’t quite cash in on those chances.

West High had 12 hits but couldn’t come up with the big hits when it needed them stranding 12 runners on base in a 5-1 loss to Ottumwa in a Class 5A, Region 8 quarterfinal.

Ottumwa (24-15) used a four-run first inning to advance to the Region 8 semifinals where it will face top-ranked Muscatine (34-3) on Friday at 7 p.m. at Kent-Stein Park in Muscatine.

West High closes the season at 13-23.

The Trojans had chances from the beginning on Thursday.

West High had four hits in the opening inning including an RBI single by senior catcher Rylee Goodfellow that scored Ella Nelson and gave the Trojans an early 1-0.

Ottumwa answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning, the big blow a three-run home run by Amber Shotts that gave the Bulldogs a 4-1 lead.

West High couldn’t take advantage of a leadoff single by Ashley Dyson in the second inning and left the bases loaded in the third.

The Trojans stranded at least one run in every inning, leaving two on base in the first, fourth and seventh.

West High got a solid outing from junior Alina Davis who allowed just one run after the four-run first.

Davis gave up five runs on nine hits while striking out one and walking one.

Ava Davis had three hits to lead the Trojans while Goodfellow had two hits and drove in a run and Liv Williams and Ava Heilskov each had two hits.

Nelson had a hit and scored a run and Maddie Caylor and Dyson each added a hit.

West High                  100  000  0  –  1  12  2

Ottumwa                    400  010  x  –  5   9   2

W – Ashlynn Sheets                                       L – Alina Davis

2B – OTT: Amber Shotts, Anne Guest, Zoey Jones

HR – OTT: Amber Shotts

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