By Becky Walz,
Playing the Class 1A state runner-up, Kee, from a year ago to start the season, the Decorah baseball team found ways to put the ball in play but still came up empty in the win column. The Hawks (2-1) swept the Vikings (0-2) in the varsity twinbill 7-2 and 11-6.
“Hats off to a fine Kee High team that simply fielded the ball, pitched and had competitive at bats at the plate better than we did,” said Coach Adam Riley. “In the coming days ahead, we look forward to continued growth in our ability to consistently throw and catch the baseball as we start to have our whole team together on a consistent basis.”
Playing the Class 1A state runner-up, Kee, from a year ago to start the season, the Decorah baseball team found ways to put the ball in play but still came up empty in the win column. The Hawks (2-1) swept the Vikings (0-2) in the varsity twinbill 7-2 and 11-6.
“Hats off to a fine Kee High team that simply fielded the ball, pitched and had competitive at bats at the plate better than we did,” said Coach Adam Riley. “In the coming days ahead, we look forward to continued growth in our ability to consistently throw and catch the baseball as we start to have our whole team together on a consistent basis.”
Decorah opened game one with the first run in the top of the first by Ethan Holthaus. Noah Storts kicked off the third frame with a solo line drive over the centerfield fence to give the Vikings the early 2-0 advantage. However, it was then that the Hawks kicked their offense into high gear, with seven unanswered runs.
The Vikings had six hits, including Storts’ homer and five singles. Holthaus had two of those hits, while the others were scattered by Keenan Tyler, Brady Stille and Thomas Ostlie. Decorah left six runners on base.
Tyler took the tough loss. He went three innings, giving up no earned runs (three total) on two hits. Coming in for relief were Kaden Alstad and Brady Bohner.
Game two once again began in the Vikes’ favor with an early 4-3 first inning lead, before Kee rattled off six runs in the second and two in the third. Decorah was unable to string together its eight hits to make up the deficit.
In the batter’s box, Tyler nearly went the cycle with a triple, double and single. Storts and Sam Kleiner came through with two hits including a double, with Kleiner batting in three runs. Ostlie had Decorah’s other single.
On the hill it was Brady Stille suffering the loss in 1-2/3 innings pitched, giving up two earned runs (nine total) on five hits and three walks.
Just getting started
With the season underway, the Vikings have little down time as the play at Crestwood in the varsity doubleheader Thursday, May 26, at 5 p.m., and host Mason City in the JV/varsity twinbill Friday, May 27, at 5 p.m. The varsity hosts Waukon on a varsity doubleheader Tuesday, May 31, at 5 p.m.
Submit A Comment
Fill out the form to submit a comment. All comments require approval by our staff before it is displayed on the website.