Sports, June 2nd

High School Soccer

The boys’ state semifinals wrapped up yesterday and championship Saturday is set, here’s how yesterday shook out.

Class 1A had two nail-biters to decide the championship matchup. The #1 seed GCGR took down Des Moines Christian 3-2 after penalty kicks decided the game. The #2 seed Western Christian also needed penalty kicks to win their matchup against Regina Catholic 2-1. GCGR and Western Christian face off tomorrow at 10 am.

In Class 2A, Assumption defeated Nevada 3-2 and Gilbert pulled off the upset on Bishop Heelan 2-1 to advance to the championship game at 1 pm tomorrow.

Norwalk and Iowa City Liberty are continuing their Cinderella stories as Norwalk took down the #1 seed Des Moines Hoover and Liberty beat the #2 seed Marion 2-0. They will face off tomorrow at 4 pm for the Class 3A crown.

Lastly, in Class 4A, Johnston won 3-1 against Ankeny Centennial and Iowa City West handled Dowling Catholic in shutout fashion 3-0. They will round out the championship games tomorrow at 7 pm.

The girls’ state semifinals continue today.

Mt. Pleasant Soccer

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ soccer team announced their team awards, and the Southeast Conference released their honors for the season.

Charice Auwerda, a sophomore, was named Attacking Player of the Year for the Panthers as she tied for both the team and conference lead in goals with 24 and had the conference lead in assists with 18 on the season. Auwerda also walked away with SEC Player of the Year honors along with 1st team All-Conference.

Another sophomore for the Panthers, Kiera Frazier, nabbed the team award for Defender of the Year. Her defensive play led to a 1st team All-Conference nod.

Freshman Sarai Sanchez and sophomore Mattisyn Wenke shared the team’s Impact Sub/Off the Bench Award. 

Leslie Lopez, junior, earned the Panther Award, which goes to the athlete who is most emblematic of the program’s values. Lopez made 11 saves on the season as the back-up goalie.

Elly Manning, fittingly, earned the team MVP for her 24 goals and 12 assists on the season. Her senior leadership showed on senior night when she scored two goals to help take down Washington. Manning was also named 1st team All-Conference.

Sonya Simon, a sophomore, was also named 1st team All-Conference for her defensive play.

Tori Wilson and Bizzie Richtman, both sophomores, earned 1st team Honorable Mention. 

Mt. Pleasant finished the season with an 11-6 record and finished 3rd in conference. It was the Panthers 5th consecutive winning season.

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant was able to avenge their performance on Tuesday against Washington by rallying for 4 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to win 9-5. Payton Hagans picked up the win on the mound. The Panthers will have a home doubleheader against Keokuk on Monday, June 5th.

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to face off against Hillcrest Academy tonight.

The offenses were on full display as Van Buren County and Danville combined for 29 runs, but it was the Warriors who would come out on top 17-12. Taylor Sprouse for Van Buren County racked up 7 RBIs on three hits. The Bears will host West Burlington tonight.

Central Lee stopped West Burlington’s comeback attempt to come out on top 7-6 last night. Hayden Vandenberg smacked two home runs and tallied 4 RBIs for the Falcons. The Hawks will host Danville on June 6th. 

New London fell to Keota last night 12-2 after the Eagles scored a total of 10 runs between the 5th and 6th innings. The Tigers will take on Burlington Notre Dame tonight at home at 5:30 pm. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 5:15 pm.

High School Softball

Mt. Pleasant lost to Washington last night 12-1. The Panthers struggled in the field and at the plate as the defense committed 5 errors and the offense managed just 3 hits. Addison Clark went 2 for 3 with a double and a triple with an RBI. The Panthers will host a doubleheader against Keokuk on June 5th.

Winfield-Mt. Union fell to Highland last night 17-1. Anna Anderson picked up an RBI for the Wolves. They will travel to take on Hillcrest Academy tonight. 

Danville will face off against West Burlington tonight.

Holy Trinity Catholic handled Mediapolis yesterday 9-2. Delaney Griffith and Rachel Martin tallied an RBI for Mediapolis. 

New London will host Holy Trinity Catholic tonight.

High School Tennis

The boys’ state team tournament concluded yesterday and here are the results. Xavier took down Pella 5 sets to 1 to take the Class 1A crown. Wahlert Catholic claimed 3rd place 5 sets to 3 over Decorah. 

The Class 2A championship went to Iowa City West as they defeated Waukee Northwest 5 sets to 2. Pleasant Valley won the 3rd place matchup 5 sets to 3 over Linn-Mar.

Iowa Baseball

The Hawkeyes will open up play in the NCAA tournament against North Carolina tonight at 6 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1883 The Northwestern League’s Quincy Quincys played a local college in the first night game involving a professional team.

1958 – Brooks Robinson hits into his first of record 4 triple plays.

1987 – Mariners draft Ken Griffey Jr. #1.