The Atlantic softball team will get to play another home game after defeating Shenandoah 6-4 on Wednesday night in a Class 3A Region 4 Quarterfinal contest. The Trojans shook off a slow start when a couple of early walks and two RBI singles gave the Fillies a 2-0 lead in the first. Atlantic got a run in the bottom of the first and then took control of the lead in the second with a 3-run effort to go up 4-2. The Fillies climbed back within 1 with a run in the 3rd but the Trojans added a run in each of the 5th and 6th to build a nice cushion. Shenandoah did grab a run on an error in the 7th but that’s all they could muster.

Zoey Kirchoff was pretty solid in the circle for Atlantic with 9 strikeouts but she did give up 6 walks. Atlantic Head Coach Terry Hinzmann was pleased with her overall effort.

The Trojans did a great job with some small ball at the plate. The Trojans executed a number of great bunts that turned into base runners. Kirchoff laid down a bunt in the third that was picked up and errantly thrown over the head of the first baseman. That costly error gave Atlantic two runs that inning. Coach Hinzmann was proud of that part of their game.

Ava Rush used that small ball route to get on base a couple of times early and she said that is part of what she does well.

Atlantic improved to 22-14 on the season and will now play Clarinda in a Class 3A Region 4 Semifinal on Saturday. The Cardinals advanced with an 8-2 Quarterfinal win over Red Oak. Shenandoah ends their season with a record of 13-18. We’ll have coverage of Atlantic and Clarinda on Saturday on KJAN with pregame at 6:50 p.m.