Sports, July 26th

High School Postseason Baseball

Championship Friday is now set after Class 2A and Class 4A finished their semifinal matchups last night and while Wednesday’s semifinals featured only upsets, last night kept the status quo, generally.

In Class 2A, #4 Chariton did provide #1 Underwood a scare after putting up five runs in the first half frame, which included two errors and a two RBI double by Keagan Evans. The Eagles struck in the 3rd inning after a couple errors allowed two runs to score, 5 to 2.

The Chargers responded with two runs of their own in the next half-inning to take a 7 to 2 lead. Mason Boothby opened up the scoring in the bottom of the 5th inning for Underwood as small ball took over resulting in five runs crossing home and tying the game. Underwood’s Ryker Adair had the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 6th inning to win 8-7.  

On the bottom half of the bracket, #2 New Hampton struck gold in the 3rd inning, scoring all seven of their runs eventually going on to win 7-3. Jaxon Eckley went 3 for 3 at the plate with an RBI and got the win on the mound for his three innings of work, tabbing a strikeout.

Class 4A had similar storylines to Class 2A as #4 Johnston kept things interesting against #1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy, scoring six runs in the top of the 7th inning to tie the game at 7. 

The Cougars needed one swing of the bat as Ty Donels swatted a solo home run for his second RBI of the game to win 8-7. 

#3 Iowa City High ran into Cole Southard, who pitched a gem of a game for #7 Dowling Catholic; pitching all 7 innings, allowing a run on five hits and fanning eight in the win. 

Class 1A will begin championship Friday with first pitch at noon with #3 Remsen St. Mary’s looking for back-to-back titles going against #4 Lynnville-Sully. For Class 2A, #1 Underwood will face off against #2 New Hampton at 2:30 pm. #4 Bishop Heelan will face off against #3 North Polk at 5 pm for Class 3A. Lastly, #7 Dowling Catholic will attempt to pull off one more upset against #1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy at 7:30 pm tonight.

High School Postseason Softball

Classes 5A and 4A officially have a state champion, while Classes 3A, 2A, and 1A will be deciding their champion today. Here’s how yesterday’s action played out. 

In a high scoring affair, #2 Pleasant Valley is the Class 5A state champion after defeating #1 Valley 14-11, scoring nine runs in the 5th inning. Jessie Clemons was a slugging machine for the Spartans, crushing two home runs and a double to the tune of four RBIs.

#6 Urbandale downed #5 Ankeny in the 3rd place match, slamming the door in the 7th inning to win 6-5. Kyra Kain slapped a home run to finish with three RBIs. 

In Class 4A, #7 Carlisle finished their Cinderella tale with a title, defeating #4 ADM 7-6. Ally Nolte swatted a two-run home run for the Wildcats.

#6 North Scott cruised to a 6-2 victory over #1 North Polk to claim 3rd place.

The Class 3A 3rd place contest will start the day between #1 Benton and #3 Wahlert Catholic at 1 pm, followed by the championship matchup against #2 Williamsburg and #4 Assumption.

Class 2A will have their 3rd place matchup at 3:30 pm with #4 East Marshall facing off against #7 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont. The championship game is scheduled for 5 pm against #1 Van Meter and #3 Audubon.

Class 1A will round out the night with #4 St. Edmond taking on #7 Southeast Warren at 6 pm for 3rd place and #1 Martensdale-St Marys attempting to avenge their championship game loss from last season against #6 Sigourney at 7:30 pm. 

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees stung the Thrillville Thrillbillies last night with an 8-6 victory. Christian Dunn and Jayden Cummings both tabbed two RBIs in the win. The Bees will travel to take on the Normal CornBelters tonight at 6:30 pm.

The Clinton LumberKings split their doubleheader last night against the CornBelters, taking game one 16-8 and falling 5-3 in game two. Bryan Belo and Karson Grout each finished with three RBIs in game one. The LumberKings will host the Chillicothe Paints tonight at 6:30 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1933 – Joe DiMaggio ends his 61 game hitting streak in the minor league Pacific Coast League.

1948 – “Babe Ruth Story” premieres, it would be Babe Ruth’s last public appearance.

1992 – Nolan Ryan strikes out his 100th batter for the 23rd consecutive season.