Author: Nathan Bloechl

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

State Baseball Field Set, 1A Begins Today:

The Iowa High School Baseball tournament is set as Class 1A quarterfinals begin this weekend at Principal Park in Des Moines, let’s analyze the brackets beginning in 1A.

The top-seed in 1A is 26-1 Martensdale-St.Mary’s, they’ll take on the #8 seed Kingsley-Pierson (15-2).

The four-five matchup is incredibly intriguing in 1A, as you’ve fourth-seeded South Winnishiek (25-1) taking on the fifth-seeded Dons of Don Bosco, Gilbertville (17-1).

In the first matchup on Saturday, #3 Council Bluffs St. Albert will take on Mason City Newman Catholic in a battle of two teams that have state championship pedigrees and hopes.

And in the final 1A quarterfinal — and a game you can listen to on KILJ — #2 Remsen St. Mary’s (19-0) will take on the seventh-seeded Nikes of Burlington Notre Dame (14-2).

The Nikes picked up a 7-5 win Wednesday over North Cedar to clinch their first trip to the state tournament since 2002.

They’ll play at 1:30 p.m. on KILJ-FM and kilj.com.

In Class 2A, the top-seed is Van Meter, who come in with a record of 20-2, they’ll take on eight-seed Treynor — a team they lost to this season — on Monday at 10:30 a.m.

Mid-Prairie, the team who knocked off Central Lee, earned the four-seed — they’ll take on West Lyon.

The Lynx of North Linn earned the #2 seed after going 18-2 this year, they’ll take on Durant, the 7th seed, at 4:30 p.m. next Monday.

The final matchup in 2A is #3 Dike-New Hartford-Des Moines Christian — the club that knocked off Central Lee in last year’s 2A quarters.

In 3A, the top-seed are the Warriors of Sergeant Bluff-Luton, who will take on the upset minded Marion Indians (10-10). The four-five matchup will see Norwalk battle against the Clippers of Clear Creek-Amana.

The Clippers took down #1 Davenport Assumption 12-3 to advance to the State Tournament. Of course, Assumption ousted Mount Pleasant Monday night by a 9-5 score.

Dallas Center-Grimes are the second-seed, they’ll take on Benton Community at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28th.

The final 3A bout is #3 Gilbert against #6 ADM, Adel.

In 4A, the top-seed is perennial power Johnston, the Dragons finished this year 21-3 — they’ll take on eight-seed Cedar Falls.

The four-five matchup will be Urbandale-Waukee.

On the bottom of the bracket the second seed is Ankeny, who will scrap with the Spartans of Pleasant Valley, the seven-seed.

While Dubuque Hempstead while tango with Iowa City High.

Iowa’s IMS Named to Hornung Watch List:

University of Iowa senior wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2020 Paul Hornung Award, the Louisville Sports Commission announced Thursday.

The award honors the most versatile player in college football.

It is the second straight year Smith-Marsette has been named to the Hornung Watch List and his second watch list nomination (Biletnikoff Award) of the summer.

The Newark, New Jersey, native was named a preseason first-team All-America selection and first-team All-Big Ten selection as a return specialist by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. Athlon Sports also named Smith-Marsette a preseason fourth-team All-Big Ten wide receiver.

Drake Relays Official Postponed:

The 111th Drake Relays has officially been postponed.

Director of the Drake Relays Blake Boldon officially made the announcement on Thursday to postpone the event to April 2021.

The Drake Relays were first postponed on March 18th due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The 111th Drake Relays will now be held April 21st through 24th, 2021.

MLB Playoffs Expand:

According to multiple reports, MLB and MLBPA ave agreed to expanded playoffs of 16 teams for the 2020 season.

The agreement came just hours before the beginning of the regular season and will move from 10 playoff teams to 16.

In Major League Baseball last night it was:

New York (AL) 4, Washington 1

Los Angeles 8, San Francisco 1

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Central Lee Rallies, Falls to #6 Mid-Prairie:

The Central Lee baseball team put the winning run on base in the 7th inning but Mid-Prairie freshman Colin Miller got Kade Mhyre to strike out preserving the Golden Hawks first trip to state since 2007.

The loss eliminated Central Lee from the 2020 State Baseball playoff.

Down by three heading into their final inning, Central Lee coaxed walks from Jadon Hawk, Adam Boyk, Alex Sandoval and Corbin Pohren to bring Mhyre to the plate with the game on line.

He fanned on a 2-2 fastball and Mid-Prairie mobbed Miller on the mound at Mediapolis, last night.

Hawk got the start for Central Lee but lasted 2.2 innings after issuing four walks in the Mid-Prairie third inning — he set the first seven down in order before the Golden Hawk rally.

Dylan Stuecker pitched the rest of the game for Central Lee allowing five runs — four earned over 4.1 innings, striking out three.

Like Simmons was 1-for-2 for Central Lee with a booming two RBI double, while T.J. Stutes finished 2-for-3 with two singles, a stolen base and a run scored.

Central Lee closes their season with a record of 12-2 and their third straight district championship.

They’ll graduate seven seniors from this year’s club.

Mid-Prairie will join a talented Class 2A field at Principal Park with teams including: #1 Van Meter, #2 North Linn, #3 Dike-New Hartford, #9 West Lyon, Des Moines Christian, Durant and Treynor.

Notre Dame Advances to State for First Time Since 2002:

For the first time since 2002, the Burlington Notre Dame Nike baseball team is heading back to Principal Park.

The Nikes completed their magical postseason run with a 7-5 win over North Cedar last night, as senior Mitchell Brent struck out North Cedar’s Jaxon Sanders to preserve the win.

Brent had two hits for the Nikes in four at-bats, while starter Jeron Conner also finished with two hits.

Notre Dame, now 14-2, is the lone unranked team in the Class 1A state field, joining #1 Martensdale-St.Mary’s, #2 Remsen St. Mary’s, #3 Council Bluffs St. Albert, #4 South Winnishiek, #6 Mason City Newman Catholic, #7 Don Bosco and #8 Kingsley-Pierson.

The Nikes will play in the 1A quarterfinal round either Friday or Saturday at Principal Park in Des Moines.

Iowa’s Duncan named to Groza Award Watch List:

Iowa’s Keith Duncan was named to the Lou Groza Award Watch List on Wednesday.

Duncan, a senior, is coming off a strong junior season that landed him as a finalist for last year’s Groza Award. He was 29 for 34 on field goals and 32 for 32 on extra points last season.

The Groza Award honors the best kicker in college football.

Cayman Islands Classic moved to Florida:

The fourth annual Cayman Islands Classic, which Northern Iowa was scheduled to play in, has been moved to Niceville, Florida, tournament officials have announced.

The tournament will still take place November 23rd though the 25th, but it will be held at Raider Arena on the campus of Northwest Florida State College.

Along with Northern Iowa, Kansas State, La Salle, Ole Miss, Miami, Nevada, Oregon State and Western Kentucky are in the tournament.

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

After Rain-outs, Central Lee, Notre Dame Ready for State Berth Chance:

Despite a rain-out yesterday the 12-1 Central Lee baseball team is on the verge of greatness when they take on the sixth-ranked Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks tonight for a chance to head to the Class 2A State Baseball tournament for the second consecutive season.

Mid-Prairie, 14-3 on the year, picked up a come-from-behind 7-5 victory over West Liberty to clinch their trip to Mediapolis tonight.

Central Lee earned a 9-6 win over Van Buren County in the first round before squeaking by Mediapolis by a score of 2-1.

The Hawks are led by senior Jadon Hawk who finished this season with a .429 batting average, five doubles, one homer and a team-best 16 runs batted in.

Senior Luke Simmons finished with 12 runs batted in, two doubles and a .441 average to lead the group.

Hawk has also been the ace of the staff for Central Lee — the senior right-hander finished 4-0 this season in 22.2 innings pitched with 32 punch-outs.

Tonight’s game can be heard on KILJ-FM 105.5 and online at kilj.com.

First pitch from Mediapolis High School is set for 7:00 p.m.

Other contests tonight will see:

• North Cedar (7-7) will take on the 13-2 Burlington Notre Dame Nikes (RV) in a Class 1A-Substate 4 Championship tonight in Solon, after being rained out yesterday. Notre Dame held on for a thrilling 6-4 victory over New London on Saturday as they play for a chance to head to the Class 1A State Baseball tournament. Tonight will be the first match-up all-time between the two schools. The Nikes boast one of the area’s top lineups, hitting .403 as team this year. They’re led by senior Drew Chiprez, who finished with a .548 batting average to go along with seven doubles, one triple and seven home runs. He’s driven in 24 this year, as well. Right-hander Mitchell Brent and fellow senior Jeron Conner have been lights out for Notre Dame on the bump. Brent leads the team with 23.1 innings pitched and 38 strikeouts, while Conner has pitched 16 innings of 2.19 ERA ball, with 25 K’s. Tonight’s game will be played in Solon at 7:00 p.m.

Former Mount Pleasant Golfer Honored:

A school-record 22 Carl Sandburg College student-athletes earned academic awards from the National Junior College Athletic Association for their exceptional performances in the classroom during the 2019-20 season.

Headlining the list for the Chargers is former Mount Pleasant golfer Trace White.

White was named All-Academic First Team after finishing his freshman season with a 4.00 GPA.

NJCAA ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM (4.00 GPA)

• Andrew Hand (Woodhull, Ill./AlWood), men’s cross country*
• Gavin Smith (Henry, Ill./Henry-Senachwine), baseball*
• Kevin White (Carthage, Ill./Illini West), men’s cross country*
• Trace White (Mount Pleasant, Iowa/Mount Pleasant), men’s golf
• Elizabeth Whitford (Dahinda, Ill./Galva), women’s golf

State Softball Field Set, Intriguing Matchups in Every Class:

The 2020 State Softball tournament schedule has been released and there are some outstanding matchups in each class beginning with quarterfinal action on Monday.

We’ll start in 1A, where the top-seed Collins-Maxwell Baxter (19-1) will open up against #8 Newman Catholic on Tuesday, July 28th.

The #4 seed is Lynville-Sully (18-2) who took down New London on Monday night — they’ll take on #5 Wayne, Tuesday.

The bottom of the 1A bracket will see second-seed Newell Fonda (18-2) squaring off against #7 Lisbon, while #3 Clarksville (16-1) will tango with sixth-seed Akron-Westfield.

In 2A, the #1 seed is undefeated (23-0) North Linn, they’ll take on upset-minded eight-seed Ridge View (11-8) in the first game of the day on Tuesday, July 28th.

The four-five matchup will see Northeast scrap with Central Springs.

Super Conference power Louisa-Muscatine is Class 2A’s #2 seed. The Falcons, last year’s Class 3A runner-up, will take on #7 Underwood on Tuesday, July 28th at 4:30 p.m.

The third-seed is Ogden (19-3) — they’ll battle #6 Mount Ayr.

Moving to 3A, Albia earned the top seed over state power Davenport Assumption, a bit of surprise.

The top-seeded Lady Dees will take on the eight-seeded Cardinals of Creston.

The four-five matchup in Class 3A is a doozy, it’ll see #4 Humboldt (20-2) taking on #5 Mount Vernon (20-4) a battle of two teams good enough to win the state championship.

In the bottom half the bracket, the second-seed is Ron Ferrill’s Davenport Assumption Knights, who enter the 2020 State Tournament with hopes of yet another state championship. The Knights will entertain seven-seed Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley (14-2).

Williamsburg is the third-seed, they’ll play #6 Algona (16-1) on Tuesday, July 28th.

In 4A, the top-seed are the Wildcats of Carlisle, who enter the tournament Monday with a record of 18-3. They’ll square off against eight-seed LeMars, the Lady Bulldogs are 14-5.

In the four-five slate, it’ll be North Scott-Charles City on Monday, July 27th.

Moving to the bottom of the Class 4A bracket, the second-seed is West Delaware (21-4) who will get a first round date with Winterset (14-7).

Southeast Conference juggernaut Fairfield is the #3 seed — they took down Burlington last night to clinch a spot in the field — they’ll tango with the Mustangs of Dallas Center-Grimes who ended their regular season with a record of 19-9.

And in 5A, the top-seed is #1 Fort Dodge (26-3) — the Dodgers will get to play in their own backyard against the #8 seed Bettendorf in the opening game of the tournament, Monday, July 27th.

Waukee is the fourth-seed, they’ll scrap with #5 Ankeny Centennial (21-8).

The bottom of the 5A bracket will see #2 Cedar Rapids Kennedy take on the Spartans of Pleasant Valley — the seven seed — while #3 West Des Moines Valley will lock horns with sixth-seeded Muscatine on Monday.

The tournament is no longer double-elimination — state championships will be played on Thursday and Friday of next week.

Iowa State’s Fennelly Named to Top 100 Most Influential List:

Iowa State women’s basketball head coach Bill Fennelly was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Women’s College Basketball by Silver Waves Media.

Fennelly, who has served as Iowa State’s head coach for over 25 years, has amassed over 500 wins with the Cyclones and 689 in his career. He has led Iowa State to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, including five Sweet 16’s and two Elite Eights.

Fennelly was one of just three Big 12 head coaches to crack Silver Waves Media’s top-100, including Sherri Coale and Kim Mulkey, who are inductees in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

 

 

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Mount Pleasant Fights, Falls to Assumption:

The Mount Pleasant baseball team rallied from down 4-0 to tie the game in the 4th inning before allowing top-ranked Davenport Assumption to score the game’s next five runs as the Knights held on for a 9-5 win in a Class 3A-Substate 5 semifinal victory last night at Modern Woodmen Park.

The Panthers stranded six base-runners through the first three innings, but finally cashed in in the fourth inning after Assumption starter Keegan Shovlain walked the bases loaded and committed a costly error on a Chase Williamson bunt single.

One batter later, senior Rylan Seberg ripped a two-run double to bring the game to 4-3, then Nik Coble had a RBI ground-out which brought the game to level terms.

Assumption, however, responded late in the 5th when senior catch Seth Adrian laced a line drive double to the center-field fence scoring one. It was a part of a two-hit, two-RBI night for the Assumption catcher.

The Knights tallied three in the 5th and two in the 6th to take a 9-4 lead.

Noah Mack allowed one run in the 7th, but Mount Pleasant left the tying run on deck as Mack induced a Chase Williamson pop-up to end the game.

Jaxon Hoyle got the start for the Panthers working two innings allowing four runs — three earned — on just two hits while striking out one.

Corbin Broeker took the loss allowing one run on two hits over two innings.

The Panthers close their season with a record of 15-7.

Assumption, now 20-4, will take on Clear Creek-Amana who took down Solon 8- 7 last night.

New London Softball Falls to #4 Hawks:

The #4 Lynnville-Sully Hawks got seven shutout innings from Denali Conover as they cruised into the Class 1A State Softball tournament with a 5-0 win over the New London Tiger softball team last night.

Conover yielded just three New London hits, all singles by Elly Manning, Layney Loyd and Sofie Reighard as the Tigers fell just one game short of heading back to the State Softball tournament for the first time since 2018.

Freshman Elly Manning took the loss for New London allowing the five runs and scattering ten hits.

Manning kept Lynville-Sully off balance for the better part of the game, before the fourth-ranked Hawks added two insurance runs in the sixth inning.

New London ends their season with a record of 9-7, while Lynville-Sully improved to 18-2.

They’ll be apart of the talented Class 1A State Softball field in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Other area softball last night:

• #2 Louisa-Muscatine 5, #13 Wilton 2
  • The Falcons are back to the State Softball Tournament —-this time in Class 2A after being crowned 3A’s runner-up a year ago. They’ll take on #7 Underwood on July 28th in a state quarterfinal match-up at Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge.

Central Lee Baseball Hoping to Clinch Back-to-Back State Berths, Tango with Mid-Prairie:

The 12-1 Central Lee baseball team is on the precipice of greatness tonight when they take on the sixth-ranked Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks for a chance to head to the Class 2A State Baseball tournament.

Mid-Prairie, 14-3 on the year, picked up a come-from-behind 7-5 victory over West Liberty to clinch their trip to Mediapolis tonight.

Central Lee earned a 9-6 win over Van Buren County in the first round before squeaking by Mediapolis by a score of 2-1.

The Hawks are led by senior Jadon Hawk who finished this season with a .429 batting average, five doubles, one homer and a team-best 16 runs batted in.

Senior Luke Simmons finished with 12 runs batted in, two doubles and a .441 average to lead the group.

Hawk has also been the ace of the staff for Central Lee — the senior right-hander finished 4-0 this season in 22.2 innings pitched with 32 punch-outs.

Tonight’s game can be heard on KILJ-FM 105.5 and online at kilj.com.

First pitch from Mediapolis High School is set for 7:00 p.m.

Other contests tonight will see:

• North Cedar (7-7) will take on the 13-2 Burlington Notre Dame Nikes (RV) in a Class 1A-Substate 4 Championship. Notre Dame held on for a thrilling 6-4 victory over New London on Saturday as they play for a chance to head to the Class 1A State Baseball tournament. Tonight will be the first match-up all-time between the two schools. The Nikes boast one of the area’s top lineups, hitting .403 as team this year. They’re led by senior Drew Chiprez, who has a .548 batting average to go along with seven doubles, one triple and seven home runs. He’s driven in 24 this year, as well. Right-hander Mitchell Brent and fellow senior Jeron Conner have been lights out for Notre Dame on the bump. Brent leads the team with 23.1 innings pitched and 38 strikeouts, while Conner has pitched 16 innings of 2.19 ERA ball, with 25 K’s. Tonight’s game will be played in Solon at 7:00 p.m.

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Mount Pleasant Baseball Gets Match-Up with Assumption:

The Mount Pleasant baseball team will get a match-up tonight with #1 Davenport Assumption in a Class 3A-Substate 5 semifinal.

The Knights, the number one seed in the district, rolled past Keokuk on Friday night 12-0 to get to this evening’s semifinal.

Mount Pleasant thrashed Fort Madison 9-2 on Friday to set up with the bout with Assumption, who have won the previous 19 games against the Panthers — most recently 8-6 and 8-7 wins back in 2018.

The Knights are led at the plate by senior Seth Adrian, who finished this season with a .389 batting average with five doubles, four home runs and a team-best 22 runs batted in.

Nate Schlichting has also been a catalyst up top the Assumption line up, with a robust .369 average with six doubles, one home run and 20 RBI.

Alex Pollmiller, the ace of the Assumption staff, pitched Friday but exceed the 65-pitch limit — meaning Mount Pleasant will likely see Keegan Shovlain tonight.

The sophomore for the Knights threw 28 innings this season — second on the team — compiling a 3-1 record with an ERA of 0.75. He has only struck out 15 in those 28 innings.

The Panthers will rely once again on the talented duo of Nik Coble and Jaxon Hoyle tonight.

The two piggy-backed with each other in Friday’s game against Fort Madison, with Coble getting the start and Hoyle coming on in relief.

They’ll both need to be sharp in order for Mount Pleasant to pull an upset.

First-pitch tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.

The bottom of the bracket will see second-seed Clear Creek-Amana battle Solon in Solon.

The winners will play on Wednesday for a berth to the 2020 State Baseball Tournament.

New London Playing for State, Tangos with Lynville-Sully:

In the first match-up all-time for the programs, the New London softball will lock horns with fourth-ranked Lynville-Sully with a berth to the 1A State Softball Tournament on the line.

The Tigers have taken the long road to tonight’s District 6 regional championship, defeating Holy Trinity 11-1, Winfield 5-1 and most recently North Mahaska 3-2 in extra innings.

Tonight’s beast are the 17-2 Hawks of Lynville-Sully, winners of eight of their last nine.

They took down Tri-County 12-0 and Sigourney 15-14 in 12 innings to advance to the region championship.

The Hawks are led by a talented crop of juniors including Laci Keen and Caitlin Alberts.

Keen hit .448 with two home runs and 24 runs batted in, while Alberts finished the season with a sparkling .472 average, six doubles, and a team-best 30 runs batted in.

In the circle, Denali Conover will get the ball for Lynnville-Sully.

She has started 18 of the teams 19 games, going 16-2 with an ERA of 2.32, striking out 55 hitters in 105.2 innings pitched.

New London will counter with freshman Elly Manning, who has been dynamite for Mark Chiri’s group in the postseason.

On the year, Manning is 8-5 with a 3.21 ERA and 25 punch-outs in 76.1 innings.

She’ll need to be up to her usual tricks tonight against a Lynville-Sully group that hit .370 at the plate as a team this season.

Senior center-fielder Kara Krieger has been lights out over the last month for New London. Her batting average has swelled to .395 with six doubles, two triples and a team-best 14 runs batted in.

She’s been sublime in the post-season, as well.

Tonight’s game, being played at Lynnville-Sully High School, will begin at 7:00 p.m.

In other regional action tonight, Wilton will battle Louisa-Muscatine in a Class 2A-Region 8 Championship.

Mount Pleasant’s Beatty Honored by USTF for All-Academic Award:

Former Mount Pleasant standout and now Central College Dutch track athlete Sam Beatty has earned a U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Award.

It was Beatty’s first honor by the organization.

To qualify, an athlete must post a minimum 3.30 GPA and qualify for the NCAA Division III Indoor Championship, finish the regular season ranked in the top 50 in an individual event or in the top 35 in a relay event.

Beatty was ranked in the high jump and posted a 3.35 GPA with an environmental studies major.

IHSAA Says Fall Sports Are a Go…For Now:

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Coble, Lowery Both Homer as Mount Pleasant Baseball Rolls to First Round Win:

Nik Coble hit a three-run homer, while Clayton Lowery clubbed a two-run shot as the Mount Pleasant baseball team hammered Fort Madison in a 9-2 Class 3A-5 first round tilt.

The win sets Mount Pleasant up with a date against #1 Davenport Assumption on Monday night.

The game started on shaky footing for the Panther who allowed two runs in the first inning — a lead Fort Madison held until the 3rd inning, when Coble homered and the Panthers plated four runs.

Mount Pleasant added another four spot in the 4th inning when Lowery, a Grandview commit, punched his first long ball over the fence this season.

Coble earned the win for the Panthers working the games first four innings, allowing four hits and two runs, one earned.

Jaxon Hoyle worked three scoreless innings out of the Panther bullpen to preserve the win.

Mount Pleasant has now won five out of their last six games and the win was the fourth over Fort Madison this season.

Now 15-6, they’ll take one 3A’s top-ranked Davenport Assumption — who defeated Keokuk 12-0 — on Monday night at Davenport’s Modern Woodmen Park.

First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.

Other scores from around the region last night included:

• Clear Creek-Amana 10, Fairfield 4
• Pleasant Valley 3, Burlington 2
• Solon came from behind to take down Washington

McSorley’s Heroics Guide New London Softball to District Championship:

Ashlyn McSorely hit a game-tying two-run home run to help lift New London to a 3-2 come from behind victory over North Mahaska last night, propelling them to a Class 1A District Final and one game within the state tournament.

McSorely’s home run tied the game at two in the late stages of the sixth inning where the game woudl stay knotted until the eighth.

Elly Manning was the winning pitcher for the Tigers, allowing just eight hits, two runs — only one earned — while striking out three.

Kara Krieger continued her hot stretch of play with two more hits, including a double, as New London notched their 10th victory this season — they’re now 10-6.

They’ll take on 1A #4 Lynville-Sully on Monday, who ousted Sigourney 15-14 in a 12-inning slobber-knocker on Monday for the right to move on to the Class 1A State Softball Tournament.

First pitch Monday is set for 7:00 p.m.

Other regional softball finals from last night saw:

• Lisbon 8, Lone Tree 2
• Louisa-Muscatine 6, West Branch 5
• Wilton 3, Wapello 0

New London Baseball Set to Avenge Early Season Loss to Notre Dame in District Championship:

The New London Tiger baseball team hasn’t soon forgot about the 14-1 loss they took to Notre Dame earlier this season.

Matter of fact, they might use it for motivation.

Tonight, the Tigers will battle Notre Dame in a winner-take-all slug fest in a Class 1A District Final at Notre Dame.

The winner will move on to Tuesday’s substate final where they’ll play for a berth into the Class 1A State Tournament.

New London has made it look easy on their route to the district championship, thrashing Wapello 12-0 and Highland 9-3. Of course the goin gets tougher against a 12-2 Notre Dame team that features one the area’s best prep arms in Mitchell Brent.

Brent, 2-2 on the season, has held opponents to a measly .074 batting average against while striking out 36 hitters in just 20 innings. His Achilles heel, however, has been walks. He’s issued 27 this year, over a walk per inning pitched.

If he’s wild, it could be giddy-up.

The Tigers will most likely throw a combination of Holvin and Joshua Catala and Kooper Schulte.

That trio has worked innings in each of the club’s first two playoff wins and the recipe has worked for head coach Brad Helmerson.

Tonight’s game will begin at 7:00 p.m. and you can listen in on KILJ-FM 105.5 and online at kilj.com.

 

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

New London Upsets Winfield, Moves to 1A Semis:

Elly Manning threw a complete-game, allowing just one run — as the New London Tiger softball team upset Winfield-Mount Union last night 5-1 in Class 1A-6 second round game.

Kara Krieger had two hits including a double and a triple with three runs scored to help pace the Tiger offense.

Marah Hartrick also had two hits, driving in two runs as New London punched a date to the 1A-6 semifinals.

New London jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first with two outs — after an illegal pitch and a walk Hartrick singled sharply scoring Krieger — from there, the Tigers never looked back.

Uncharacteristically hittable, Madie Anderson took the loss for the Wolves. She yielded eight hits and five runs — unofficially four earned — in seven innings of work, striking out nine.

The win for New London improves them to 8-6, while Winfield ends their season with a record of 7-5.

The Tigers will take on the Warhawks of North Mahaska tonight in New Sharon — first pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.

Other regional action last night:

• Wapello 6, Durant 3
• Assumption 12, Columbus 0
• Louisa-Muscatine 7, Van Buren 4
• Fort Madison 5, Keokuk 0

Mount Pleasant Softball Ousted by Burlington:

Samantha Broeker had two hits and two runs batted in, but it was not enough as the Mount Pleasant softball team ended their season with a 9-3 loss against #14 (4A) Burlington in a Class 4A first round matchup.

The Greyhounds started fast cashing in two runs in the 1st, three in the 2nd and three more in the 3rd inning to give them all the cushion they needed.

Hannah Newman took the loss for Mount Pleasant, who ends their season with a record of 4-18.

Burlington now will await the winner of #6 Fairfield (20-1) and Fort Madison (10-9) — they would originally be scheduled to square off with #10 Oskaloosa, over Osky had their season come to a close following a positive Covid-19 test result this week.

The district championship will be played Tuesday.

Panther Baseball Looks to Punch Ticket to Monday Tilt:

Winners of four of their last five, the Mount Pleasant baseball team will try and stay hot tonight when they open up Class 3A-Substate 5 first round action against the Bloodhounds of Fort Madison.

The Panthers won the season series 3-1 against the Bloodhounds this year, sweeping them on July 2nd 8-5 and 4-1 — and splitting an opening night twin bill winning 8-5 and falling 10-4.

Bloodhound junior Jason Thurman has been their top dog — pun intended — at the plate and on the hill, leading Fort Madison with a .420 batting average with three doubles, two triples and 10 runs batted in.

On the bump he’s worked 14.1 innings striking out 16 with a team-best 2.93 ERA.

He’s the one to watch for Fort Madison tonight.

Meanwhile, Rylan Seberg has found his stroke at the plate as his batting average has swelled to .352 — tops on the club.

Seberg, hitting out of the two-hole all season long — has scored 22 runs, driven in 17 to go along with four doubles, one triple and 10 stolen bags.

Mount Pleasant has had a three-headed monster on the mound this year, between seniors Nik Coble, Jaxon Hoyle and Clayton Lowery.

Coble has been the best of the bunch, logging 31.2 innings with a microscopic 0.66 ERA, striking out 41 hitters.

He’s the best bet to get the ball in tonight’s playoff opener for Mount Pleasant, which will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.

You can listen along on KILJ-FM 105.5 and online at kilj.com.

Midwest Conference Announces Cancellation of Non-Conference Games in Fall:

The Midwest Conference will continue to move forward with planning for a fall season but will eliminate all non-conference competition, conference officials announced yesterday.

The first games for most colleges will begin in late September.

For Iowa Wesleyan, that means the non-conference home game versus Knox College will not be played.

The MWC COVID-19 Working Group will continue its efforts toward the development of a common set of criteria for the screening and monitoring of COVID-19 in order to protect the health of student-athletes and college communities when intercollegiate competition resumes.

The presidents are in consensus that close monitoring of the COVID-19 landscape is ongoing and fall competition may not occur if public health guidance changes in the coming weeks.

Further announcements regarding Midwest Conference athletics for 2020-21 will be released in the weeks ahead.

Three Cyclones Named Preseason All-Big 12:

Three Iowa State Cyclones were named to the preseason All-Big 12 team yesterday, the conference announced.

Junior tight end Charlie Kolar, defensive lineman JaQuan Bailey and defensive back Greg Eisworth were all first-team selections ahead of the 2020 season.

Kolar recorded 51 receptions for 697 yards and seven scores last year for the Cyclones, while Bailey looks to regain top form following an injury plagued 2019 season.

Bailey has 18.5 career sacks in his time at Iowa State.

Meanwhile Eisworth accumulated 65 tackles, one interception and 10 pass deflections in his sophomore season last year.