By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com
Carroll — The New London Tiger baseball team will make their first appearance at the Class 1A State Baseball tournament for the first time since 2006 today when they take on Lansing Kee in quarterfinal play.
The Keehawks are the four seed and come into the state tournament with a record of 33-9 after defeating Northwood-Kensett 11-0 last week in substate final play.
New London knocked off the red-hot Mount Ayr 4-2 in Oskaloosa last week to earn their trip to Carroll.
The Tigers will rely heavily on their pitching and defense today, spearheaded on the bump by Hecniel Rodriguez and in the field with shortstop Kooper Schulte and centerfielder Josh Catala — both of whom are elite defenders.
Tyson Cota is the biggest threat for Lansing Kee, the junior is hitting a team best .419 and has driven in 47 runs, with 13 doubles, three triples and a home run.
Most likely, the Keehawks will turn to junior ace Dalton Dilbert, who has eight wins in 56.1 innings this year. His ERA is 1.74.
The winner of today’s game will square off next with either top seed Remsen St. Mary’s or eight-seeded Grundy Center on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.
Today’s game will begin at 1:30 p.m. — you can listen on FM 105.5 and kilj.com.
Pre-game action will commence at 1:15 p.m.