-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Lexie Pippert of Benton Community hits an RBI double against Solon during 3A quarterfinals on Tuesday at Rogers Park

Top-seeded Benton Community scored four runs in the first inning and that was more than enough for a 5-1 win over Solon in a Class 3A state softball quarterfinal at Channel Seeds Field inside Rogers Sports Complex on Tuesday.

The Bobcats, now 32-7, advance to Wednesday’s semifinals at 4:45 against Davenport Assumption.

Last year, Benton reached state, but fell 10-0 to Dubuque Wahlert in the first round.

This season, they got to work early and rode the pitching of senior Jessa DeMoss to reach the semifinals for the first time since winning a Class 2A state title in 1998.

“We made it last year and didn’t accomplish what we wanted to,” said Benton head coach Jordon Rettenmeier. “We just talked about it being another game and taking advantage of things when we could. We just wanted to relax and take it one game at a time.”

The Bobcats are also playing with heavy hearts, thinking about classmate Tatum Schroeder, who is battling a second round of cancer. The senior-to-be is a multiple sport athlete and has been fighting cancer for more than a year.

“We are thinking of her this week,” said Rettenmeier. “It helps us remember there’s something other than softball that’s important.”

This past season, the team held a fundraiser for Schroeder on July 1 during a home game and raised $1,737. The school has raised nearly $30,000 since her diagnosis in March of 2023 through various benefits.

Benton got to work early in Tuesday’s morning start.

Lead-off hitter Emma Townsley was hit by a pitch to open the game, and she eventually scored on an error. Benton then loaded the bases and senior Lexie Pippert roped a three-run double to make it 4-0.

“I just thought we needed to score some runs,” said Pippert. “I was glad I could make contact and score my teammates and we could make it to the second round.

“This just feels amazing.”

DeMoss scattered five hits and had seven strikeouts. She retired 13 of the final 14 batters she faced after Solon (18-15) scored its only run in the third inning.

“Scoring those four runs made a big difference,” said Rettenmeier. “It made us relax a little and play good defense.

“I was so excited to see Lexi get that hit. She’s worked so hard.”

Solon’s Kayla Meseck scored her team’s only run when she scampered home from third after Benton caught Keegan Kleppe stealing at second.

Meseck singled to start the inning then moved to second on a passed ball and third on a wild pitch.

Benton got that run back in the fifth. Hannah Greiner singled with one out then two walks loaded the bases. Greiner scored when Layna DeMoss hit a hot shot to third that drilled third baseman Bailey Wooley and the ball trickled through the infield.

Wooley had to leave the game.

A liner to first base ended the frame with the bases loaded.

Greiner finished with three hits for the Bobcats, including two doubles.

Solon, making its 14th state tournament trip, but the first since 2016, plays in a consolation game today at 10 a.m.

BENTON 5, SOLON 1

Solon 001 000 0 — 1 5 0

Benton 400 010 x — 5 5 1

WP–Jessa DeMoss (7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO); LP–Kendall Jensen (6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 3 SO); LOB–Solon 4, Benotn 5; 2B–S: Addie Miller; B: Hannah Greiner (2), Lexie Pippert; HBP–B: Emma Townsley; SACB–B: Brynnlee Seeck.