The Trailblazers are all too familiar with the situation they find themselves in tomorrow. Playing for their third consecutive state title against the same team, top-seeded North Polk. The two storied baseball teams will face each other in tomorrow’s state championship game at 2 p.m. at Principal Park in Des Moines.
Beckman Catholic defeated Van Meter, 8-5 last night in the Iowa Class 2A state semifinals. However, it wasn’t an easy feat to advance to the title game as the Blazers fell behind in the first and fifth innings, but regained the lead in the bottom half of both innings and took control of the game.
Centerfielder, Mitch Steger is very happy with the outcome of last night’s game. “We played really well. We didn’t have a lot of errors. It was an intense and exciting game because whenever they scored we answered back with a run,” said Steger.
Steger pulled out a key play by bringing in an RBI double run and Conner Klostermann followed with a run to extend Beckman’s lead 8-5. “I like being in those types of situations when guys are on base and you have to drive them in. That was a crucial play and it’s great that we got those two runs in to get the team going,” stated Steger.
The Trailblazers are pumped for the title game tomorrow against North Polk. “It doesn’t get much better than this to be playing in our third consecutive state championship game. It’s just as exciting as the last two times. North Polk is out to get us after we have denied them two back-to-back state titles. It’s going to be an intense game, but we’re ready for them,” said Steger.
Tune into the state championship game at http://ihssnlivestream.com/.
The 64th Annual Dyersville Semi-Pro Baseball Tournament got underway last night with first-round play. The home-town favorite, Dyersville White Hawks, pounded their way through their first game with a blowout victory over Placid 15-0. The White Hawks will face Monticello who pulled out the win over Worthington 2-1 on Tuesday, August 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Jenk Field in Dyersville.
Tonight’s action features Epworth vs. Peosta at 7 p.m. followed by Bernard vs. Zwingle at 8:30 p.m. The winners of those games will play Tuesday, August 5 following the Dyersville vs. Monticello game.
Beckman Catholic is still in the hunt for their 3rd consecutive state championship with a 6-3 win over Hinton, in the Iowa Class 2A state quarterfinals at Principal Park in Des Moines. The two-time defending state champs will face Van Meter in the semifinals on Thursday at 8 p.m.
The Trailblazers didn’t play up to their full potential, but Coach Tom Jenk Jr. is still happy with the victory. “We are two games away from our goal. You know it’s a sign of a good baseball team when they don’t play their best, but still come out ahead with the win,” said Jenk.
The Iowa High School Athletic Association will be steaming live coverage of all state baseball action at their website http://ihssnlivestream.com/.
The boys are back in town and I’m not talking about the 1976 hit by Thin Lizzy. Beckman Catholic, the two-time defending Iowa Class 2A state champions clinched their spot in the state line-up with a 5-2 victory over No. 4-ranked Wilton in the Substate final last Tuesday. No. 3-ranked Beckman (27-13) earned the No. 2 seed and will play seventh-seeded Hinton (23-8) in Monday’s state quarterfinals at Principal Park in Des Moines.
I had the opportunity to chat with senior pitcher, Zac Lyon who has been a dominant factor in Beckman’s successful season that has led the Trailblazers to their 17th state appearance.
Beckman Catholic fans sported their green and gold apparel as they cheered on the trailblazers on a cool July night for the Class 2A District 9 Semi-final.
The two-time defending state champions hosted Clayton-Ridge where they played a very tight game. At the bottom of the 6th inning, Beckman led 1-0, but not for long as they brought in a base hit and a double-steal to increase their led 3-0. Beckman’s defense was too much for Clayton Ridge/Central as the Trailblazers shut them out 3-0 to advance to the district final on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Jenk Field in Dyersville where they face rival, Cascade.
“We played great defense and I am very proud of my boys. Defense wins championships,” said Beckman Head Coach, Tom Jenk, Jr.
In preparation for Saturday’s game, Jenk isn’t going to change anything. “We just need to keep doing what we’re doing. Cascade is a quality team and I am looking forward to playing against them in the final,” stated Jenk.
Beckman Catholic baseball coach, Tom Jenk Jr. reached a milestone on July 3 becoming the 5th Iowa baseball coach to record 1,000 wins after the Trailblazers defeated Clear-Creek Amana.
In an interview with the Dyersville Commercial, Jenk stated “We picked up our 1000th win over the past 40 years. It means I’ve been around a long time and had some pretty dedicated athletes and community. But, right now the most important thing is to stay focused and keep our eye on the prize – another conference championship and trip to Principal Park.”
Jenk has coached the Trailblazers since 1975 and has lead them to 14 state tournament appearances and four state championships. Jenk told the Dyersville Commercial, “It really doesn’t seem like I’ve been at it for 40 years because when you love your job, you never have to go to work a day of your life. Baseball is such a great game, because it is a very humbling experience. You will fail more than you succeed, so you have to pick yourself up, move on to the next pitch, error or strikeout.”
In the hunt for the state title, the Trailblazers hit the mound tonight at Mt. Vernon at 7:30 p.m. and have home field advantage tomorrow against Marion at 5 p.m.
A semi rolled over a load of pallets onto Heritage Trail on Wednesday, July 2. According to Heritage Trail Technician, Del Bischoff, “The semi-driver’s GPS navigation system led him a astray onto the trail. When he tried to get back on his correct route, he turned too far causing the semi to roll on its side.”
No major damage was caused to the trail which attracts bike riders and runners from around the area to frequent. “We were able to resurface the path but still need to use the road grader to complete repairs,” said Bischoff.
The semi-driver is in good condition and no injures were reported.
