SOLON — Bobcats, Knights, Stormin’ Pointers, and Crusaders. It was another busy week for the varsity boys on the diamonds as they improved to 19-9 overall and 12-5 in the WaMaC East.
Spartans sweep Bobcats 5-0, 5-3
The week opened with a home doubleheader vs. Benton Community Monday, June 17 with Sparty notching two more wins on the season.
Solon scored one run in the bottom of the first inning of game one with two each in the fourth and fifth. Vince Steinbrech led at the dish with two hits (including a double) and two RBIs. Nolan Seagren, Gehrig Turner, Garret Stebral, Dylan Gorham, and Tyler Bell had one hit each with a double for Seagren, Turner, Stebral, and Gorham, and an RBI for Seagren and Maddox Kelley. Steinbrech went the distance on the bump giving up five hits, no runs, walking one and striking out nine.
In the nightcap three Spartans crossed the plate in the bottom of the first. The Bobcats tied with one run in the second and two in the third before a pair of Solon runs in the fourth. Turner led the way with three hits, Brett White and Stebral produced two hits with a double and a triple for White, while Seagren, Kelley, and Gorham had one hit each. White and Turner drove in one run apiece. Jackson Link took the win with 6-1/3 innings giving up nine hits and three runs (two earned), walking two and striking out three. Tyson Wheeler finished the game giving up no hits and no runs and striking out one.
Knights smite Solon 10-3
A visit to Assumption Catholic last Wednesday ended in a loss as the Spartans scattered three runs across the first, fifth, and seventh innings while the Knights plated two in the first, five in the second, two in the fifth and one in the sixth.
Maddox Kelley led with three hits, Nolan Seagren and Gehrig Turner had two hits with a double each while Brett White, Dylan Gorham, and Tyler Bell got one hit apiece. Kaden Hanson was charged with the loss after two innings giving up seven hits and seven runs (three earned). Seagren pitched four innings giving up two hits and three earned runs and striking out one.
Spartans and Stormin’ Pointers split 6-9 and 9-6
Sparty’s Boys had a two-RBI homerun (and crossing home plate three times) by Brett White plus three hits from Nolan Seagren in game one of the WaMaC East doubleheader last Thursday, but the Stormin’ Pointers took the contest 9-6. Gehrig Turner, Maddox Kelley, and Dylan Gorham also had one single each with two RBIs for Kelley. Tyler Bell took the loss after five innings on the mound giving up six hits and eight runs (five earned), walking four and striking out two. Tyson Wheeler pitched one inning giving up three hits and one earned run with one walk.
White slapped out a second homer in the nightcap along with a single to drive in three runs in the 9-6 win. Turner had three singles with one RBI, Kelley produced two hits (including a double) with two RBIs while Seagren and Jackson Link had a base hit apiece. Luke Merrick, an eighth grader, drove in one run as did Link and Wheeler. Turner took the win with six innings on the bump giving up four hits and one unearned run, walking two, and striking out three. Wheeler pitched two innings giving up six hits and five earned runs.
Crusaders clash with Spartans, Solon prevails 8-6
Saturday, Solon participated in Ankeny’s Prange Classic taking on Bishop Heelan Catholic (Sioux City) and winning 8-6. The win improved Solon’s record to 19-9 while the Crusaders dipped to 21-8.
Stats were not available as of deadline.
Looking ahead to postseason and beyond
The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) was expected to release Class 3A brackets for postseason play Thursday, June 27. The first round of Substate games will be played Friday, July 12 with the semifinals Monday, July 15 and the finals Wednesday, July 17.
Tickets for Substate games are $6 plus fees ($8 plus fees for Substate Finals) and will be available online (only) through the IHSAA Tickets page at www.iahsaa.org/tickets/ starting Tuesday, July 9 at 9:00 a.m.
Eight teams will ultimately advance to the 2024 IHSSA State Baseball Tournament scheduled for Monday, July 22-Friday, July 26 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids.
Upcoming schedule
Thursday, June 27 – Varsity doubleheader at Clear Creek Amana HS (Tiffin). 5:00 p.m.
Monday, July 1 – Home vs. Regina Catholic. 7:00 p.m. (Level 2 plays at 5:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, July 2 – Home vs. North Scott. 7:00 p.m. (Level 2 plays at 5:00 p.m.)
Friday, July 5 – Home vs. Fairfield. 7:00 p.m. (Level 2 plays at 5:00 p.m.)
WaMaC East standings (6/22/24)
Conf. Overall
Marion 12-3 21-3
CPU 13-5 18-7
Solon 12-5 18-9
Mt. Vernon 7-11 12-12
Independence 7-11 8-15
W. Delaware 6-12 8-17
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Vince Steinbrech pitched a full game last Monday against Benton Community giving up five hits, no runs, walking one and striking out nine in a 5-0 win. The Spartans earned the sweep with a 5-3 win in the nightcap.