Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Aubrey Schuman of Urbandale pitches on Monday against Muscatine in a Class 5A state quarterfinal at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The CIML prepared Urbandale for their late-season surge.

After going just 4-12 in the league, the J-Hawks knocked off Johnston in a regional final and continued that momentum with a 10-9 victory here Monday over Muscatine in a Class 5A quarterfinal at Rogers Park.

Urbandale (23-18 overall) now takes on Pleasant Valley back here Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. on Channel Seeds Field for a spot in the championship. The J-Hawks are making their 20th trip to state all-time, but the first since 2017.

“It was a crazy game,” Urbandale senior Avery McKinney said. “We are the state newbies but we were confident in what we could do. We were prepared for a tough game.

“As a senior, this is very special. I have wanted to get here the past five years because it is a great environment and a wonderful place.”

McKinney had two hits, scored three times, drove in a run and stole a base while Sarah Webster had three RBI and Kyra Kain two. Webster, Kain, Bri Tigges and Arabella Page all had two hits each.

The J-Hawks overcame five errors and seven earned runs against sophomore pitcher Aubrey Schuman, who is the daughter of 1997 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate Kyle Schuman.

For Muscatine (27-11), Aubrey Bender hit two home runs and drove in five, going 3-for-4 at the plate.

URBANDALE 10, MUSCATINE 9

Urbandale 022 240 0 — 10 12 5

Muscatine 051 000 3 — 9 8 3

WP–Aubrey Schuman (12-3, 7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 K, 1 BB). LP–Skylar Peterson (19-7, 7 IP, 12 H, 9 ER, 5 K, 5 BB).

HR–M: Aubrey Bender (2). 2B–U: Avery McKinney, Bella Oberbroeckling; M: Aubrey Bender. RBI–U: Avery McKinney, Sarah Webster (3), Bella Oberbroeckling, Kyra Kain (2), Arabella Page; M: Ysabel Lerma (3), Aubrey Bender (5), Savannah Gutierrez. SB–U: Avery McKinney.