Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: McKinley Toohey makes a play for North Scott on Monday in a Class 4A state quarterfinal. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

North Scott didn’t waste a second in their state tournament opener.

The sixth-seeded Lady Lancers (31-5 overall) scored two runs in the first inning and it held from there as they upset No. 3 seed Norwalk by a final of 2-0.

Sydney Skarich took the first pitch of the game down the left field line, just inside the chalk for a double. Cadey Bredar sacrificed her to third, and Alyanna Nelson was hit by a pitch.

Laney Weige plated Skarich with an RBI-single and Nelson later scored on a McKinley Toohey RBI-single.

“It’s great to set the tone and get runners on,” Skarich said. “Our defense did extremely well and held them.

“It’s exciting to be here with a new group that is younger and confident.”

The Lady Lancers will now face No. 7 Carlisle (35-8) on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the semifinals on Iowa Central Field.

“Scoring early really sets the tone, and Sydney has really embraced the pressure,” said NS head coach Holly Hoelting. “She hates to lose more than she likes to win.”

Norwalk (29-8) will play No. 2 Dallas Center-Grimes (32-9) Tuesday at 12:15 p.m.

Skarich, the MAC player of the year and an Illinois State track and field recruit, was 3-for-4 in the contest.

Skarich, the daughter of former St. Edmond boys track coach Paula Skarich, is playing in her fourth state tourney. The Lady Lancers have reached Rogers Park five of the last six seasons.

Kamilah Eller also had a hit for the Lady Lancers.

North Scott pitcher Chevelle Kingsley allowed only three Norwalk hits while striking out four.

“It makes you feel really calm and relaxed to have a lead early,” Kingsley said. “It means a lot to be back in the tournament and move on.”

Norwalk pitcher Olivia Dougherty allowed six hits and struck out 11 batters.

NORTH SCOTT 2, NORWALK 0

North Scott 200 000 0 — 2 6 2

Norwalk 000 000 0 — 0 3 1

WP–Chevelle Kingsley (7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO); LP–Olivia Dougherty (7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 11 SO).

LOB–North Scott 5, Norwalk 5; 2B–NS: Sydney Skarich; HBP–NS: Alayanna Nelson; SACB–NS: Cadey Bredar; SB–NS: Skarich (2), Kamilah Eller; N: Nyah Hulbert, Jaylynn Brandt; RBI–NS: Laney Weige, McKinley Toohey.