Matt Dermody scattered eight hits and struck out 13 batters as sixth rated Norwalk got by Decorah 4-1 in the 3A quarterfinals of the state baseball tournament.
Dermody says they are "really pumped" and ready to face Boone, which they already faced in their conference.
Decorah pitcher Tyler Smith had two of the Viking’s hits but they wasted several scoring opportunities and stranded 10 runners. Smith says they couldn’t get the hit they needed to drive in the runners and that took the game out of their hands. Decorah ends the season with a record of 22-14.
Denison-Schleswig catcher Dillon Melby stands about five feet-seven but he came up big at the plate. The senior delivered a two-out single to right in the top of the seventh to drive in the tying run and the Monarchs scored the game winner in the top of the eighth in a 4-3 come from behind win over Vinton-Shellsburg.
Melby says he struck out an three straight curve balls in his first at bat, so he was excited to see a fastball and hit it. The Monarchs survived a six error performance and take a 28-12 record into the 3A semifinals.
Vinton-Shellsburg was in control for most of the game and led it 3-0 going into the top of the sixth inning. Vikings coach Jim Struve says it was a classic case of both teams battling, the other team got some timely hitting, and it wasn’t meant to be for his team.