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WILTON, Iowa — Each time West Liberty played Wilton’s softball team this season, it improved.

In the third meeting between the two area conference rivals, it still wasn’t enough as Cedar Valley Conference champion Wilton defeated the Belles, 4-0, to advance to the regional quarterfinal tonight against Durant-Bennett.

“Coming in with two previous wins (against West Liberty), you always worry that your team might overlook them,” Wilton coach Lance Pedersen said. “But we told the team that our most important game is the next one, West Liberty.”

It was solid hitting and defense that helped the Beavers (30-5) to advance.

Twice, Wilton’s middle infield took away would-be hits by the Belles. The first was when Wilton’s Kelsie Dugan ranged over on a ball hit by West Liberty lead-off hitter Hannah Vance in the fourth inning. The other was in the seventh when Leah Duffe snagged a ball hit by Ashley Montelongo that was ticketed for center field.

“She robbed us big time,” West Liberty coach Norm Mitts said. “Wilton always hits the ball and plays good defense. But we got better each time we played them – they beat us 8-0 the first time and 6-0 the last time.”

Two unearned runs in the second inning were more than enough for the Beavers, but they tacked on two more in the fourth for insurance.

Kara Proctor led off the second with a double to deep left and Rachel Brisker hit a one-out single to center. Proctor held up at third as the throw went home, allowing Brisker to reach second. Dugan then hit a ball to short that West Liberty first baseman had couldn’t dig out, allowing two runs to score.

“Unearned runs,” bemoaned Mitts. “That’s the story of our whole year.”

In the fourth inning, Proctor led off the inning with an infield single, advanced to second when Rachel Kirschbaum was hit with a pitch, and both runners were moved over on a sacrifice bunt by Brisker.

West Liberty pitcher Emily Christensen was ruled to make an illegal pitch, allowing Proctor to score and put Kirschbaum on third. Dugan squeezed home Kirschbaum to conclude all scoring.

“We played solid defense, hit the ball and executed well on bunt situations,” Pedersen said. “We did all the things we needed to do.”

The loss for West Liberty ends the Belles’ season at 7-21 and concludes the career of Mitts, who will retire for the second time as the Belles’ head softball coach.

“I got my 600th win the other night (against North Cedar),” Mitts said. “I told myself when I came back I would only go for three and this is my fifth. It’s time.

“My first game (coaching) was against West Liberty. I coached basketball for Durant for eight years. My first game was against West Liberty and my last game was coaching the Belles.”

Wilton will move on to play Durant tonight, 4-0 winners over Louisa-Muscatine.

On Monday, Wilton defeated the Wildcats 2-1 in 17 innings to claim the Beavers’ first softball conference championship.

“We look forward to the third time,” Pedersen said. “At one time, we were two top-10 teams in the state. I wonder why we are meeting so early against each other, but it will be two quality teams going.”

Wilton 4, West Liberty 0

Wilton 020 200 0 – 4 6 1

W. Liberty 000 000 0 – 0 1 1

Rachel Brisker and Kara Proctor; Emily Christensen and Jordyn Weinard. W – Brisker. L – Christensen. Hits (two or more) – Wil (Proctor). 2B – Wil (Leah Duffe, Proctor). RBI – Wil (Kelsie Dugan).

Record – Wilton 30-5, West Liberty 7-21, final.

Next game – Wilton vs. Durant at Durant, 7 p.m., today.