One big inning went a long way for the #5 Falcons of West Burlington Notre Dame in Ft. Dodge as they eliminated the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks from state championship contention by an 8-3 score Thursday. In a game filled with odd plays the Falcons took a 1-0 first inning lead on an inside the park home run by Kori Mescher. The Golden Hawks answered in the second when Mallory McArtor scored on a fielder’s choice to tie the game. The middle innings belonged to the Falcons who took the lead for good in the 4th on a bases loaded walk to Riley Hale and then the flood gates opened in the 5th. In the frame the Falcons would score six runs on four hits and two costly Mid-Prairie errors. The Golden Hawks committed five errors on the day. Mid-Prairie’s comeback magic looked like it might make another appearance in the 5th when Hannah Miller drove in Emmie Leinen and Kaitlyn Kaalberg on a 2RBI base hit but in the end it was not enough. Olivia Lugar took the loss for Mid-Prairie, she surrendered eight runs, three of them earned on eight hits, walked seven and hit two batters. Kaitlyn Caston recorded the win for West Burlington. Mid-Prairie was led at the plate by Miller’s 2RBI and Leinen and Kaalberg each had two hits. With the loss Mid-Prairie falls to 24-19 on the season and will conclude the year today on KCII at 4PM in the consolation championship game against #2 Bondurant-Farrar. The Lady Blue Jays fell to #11 Iowa City Regina 5-4 yesterday afternoon.