Davenport Central scored one run in the fifth inning and another in the sixth to claim a 2-0 victory over Indianola in the class 4A quarterfinals of the state baseball tournament. Central standout pitcher Zach Kenyon was dominant . He allowed only three hits and struck out 14.
Kenyon says you have to lay it all on the field in the postseason, or you go home. And he says fortunately his team did that and got the victory. Kenyon says it may have been his best performance of the season, he says it’s probably close to being the best game of his career. "It just felt good to get out there and get one tonight," Kenyon said.
Making their first appearance in the tournament since 1969, Indianola threatened in the seventh with a pair of singles but the game ended with runners at first and second. Indianola coach Casey Aldridge says they ask their players to come out and battle every game. Before the last inning Aldridge says he asked them to battle again, and they die. Indianola pitcher Tyler Strub also was impressive on the mound. He gave up only five hits and struck out ten.
Fort Dodge took advantage of a couple of Ankeny miscues to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh as the Dodgers rallied for a 5-4 win over Ankeny. Fort dodge coach Matt Elsbecker says they put the ball in play and made them handle it. Elsbecker says baseball looks like an easy game, but with the pressure of the state tournament, you never know what is going to happen if you put the ball in play.
Ankeny coach Mark Hey says it was a disappointing finish. He says that’s the way the game is played, and says Fort Dodge is a great team, and his team has nothing to be down about.
Cedar rapids Kennedy used a balk in the top of the ninth to score the game winner as the Cougars edged Clinton 5-4. Third ranked Urbandale advanced with a 6-3 win over Waterloo West.