Waverly-Shell Rock senior Dan Stensland made a number of big plays in the top ranked Go-Hawks’ first round victory in class 3A. Stensland opened the scoring with a two run single and came on in relief of starter Sean Westendorf to get out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the seventh in a 3-1 victory over Solon.
It is the first ever state tournament win for Waverly-Shell Rock. Stensland also started an inning ending double play from his spot at third base in the top of the fifth inning to preserve a 2-0 lead. He says it was a team effort on defense. “Balls were rocketed out into right field and center field and our guys did a great job of tracking those down and getting outs. Sean pitched a heck of game. He’s been huge for us this season, not only pitching, he had a couple of great hits. This is a huge team win for us and I can’t wait to come down here Friday and play again,” Stensland says.
Davenport Assumption held off a late rally by sixth ranked Harlan to post an 8-7 victory in the class 3A quarterfinals at the state baseball tournament. “Their team fought to the end and I’m sure they are proud of the way they played. Our team did also and we came out with a W,” Assumption coach Bill Argo said. The Knights led 7-1 before the Cyclones rallied. Harlan’s rally ended when the tying run was thrown out at the plate to end the game. “The throw was up the line a little bit and I think we kind of hesitated coming around third,” Harlan coach Steve Daeges said. He said he was proud of the way his team battled back.
A pitcher’s duel featured the Algona Bulldogs and Sergeant Bluff-Luton Warriors in the Class 3A state quarterfinals Tuesday night at Principal Park. The Warriors scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning and claimed a 2-1 victory. Cody Selig pitched a three-hitter and struck out 13 for second-seeded SBL. Weston Shaw pitched a five-hitter and struck out 10 for seventh-seeded Algona.
A pitcher’s duel and great defensive plays by both teams added up to a fantastic final Class 3A quarterfinal-round game Tuesday night at Principal Park. When it was over – and it took nine innings – sixth-seeded Dallas Center-Grimes posted a 3-0 win over third-seeded Fairfield.
The Mustangs got just one hit in the first eight innings, but pushed across three runs in the top of the ninth on one hit, one error, two walks, a stolen base and a sacrifice fly.