Class 2A Quarterfinals
Davis County Vs Van Meter
Van Meter 9
Davis County 6
Van Meter looked like they may end this game early, getting out to an 8-0 lead after 2 innings but Davis County kept battling at the plate, chased the Bulldog starter in the 4th inning, and had a chance late to tie or take the lead, before the Bulldogs scored an insurance run. Van Meter moves into the semifinals against Unity Christian who beat Clarinda in the opening game of the day 6-2.
Davis County opened the game with a base hit and an error, but Zach Pleggenkuhle got Van Meter out of trouble, though he was forced to throw a lot of pitches in the 1st inning. The Bulldogs offense was crisp early, Jacob Blomgren and Ike Speltz had RBI in the 1st inning, helping Van Meter score 4-runs on 3 hits. They added more in the 2nd when Blomgren hit a shot that cleared the left field fence and landed on the softball field next door, it rolled to the 3rd base dugout. The 2-run home run was the highlight of another 4-run inning, that started with an Austin Bauhmover walk, followed by a double from Jack Pettitt. Pleggenkuhle added an RBI single before the Blomgren home run. The 8-0 lead looked big since Davis County only had 1 hit after two innings.
Dawson Townsend began to change momentum doubling to start the top 3rd for Davis County. The Mustangs followed that with a triple from Caedyn Glosser, an 2 RBI triple from Carson Maeder. They scored 4 times in the 3rd to cut it to 8-4. Davis County threatened in the 4th with 2 runners on but didn’t score. The Mustangs got a runner to 2nd in the 5th but didn’t score. Meanwhile Van Meter had lost their rhythm on offense. A single by Jack Pettitt in the 3rd was their only hit from the 3rd until the 6th inning.
Carson Maeder settled in for Davis County after the 2nd inning, giving up 6 hits total, but 4 of those were in the 2nd inning. His pitching helped curtail the Bulldog bats and gave the Mustangs a chance to chip away. Jack Pettitt replaced Pleggenkuhle for Van Meter in the 4th, and pitched well until the 6th. Justin Matheney singled for the Mustangs to start the 6th. Clay Collier singled and Dawson Townsend reached on a fielders choice as Matheney was thrown out at 3rd. Dalton Reeves doubled and Davis County was down 8-6 with 2 outs. They loaded the bases on back to back walks, but Chris Schreck, who replaced Pettitt on the hill, battled back after the walk to Noah Zmolek loaded the bases, and got a fly out to left field to end the threat.
Van Meter needed an insurance run and got it bottom 6th. Zach Pleggenkuhle hit a blooper to left-center, and advanced to 2nd base on a passed ball. Ganon Archer drove him home to make it 9-6 heading to the 7th. Schreck took some time in the bullpen to warm up while his teammates batted bottom 6th and it paid off. He got Davis County in order in the top 7th to end the game.
Van Meter improves to 29-7 and will play 21-7 Unity Christian in Wednesday semifinals at Noon. Davis County ends the season at 15-19.
Van Meter stats
Jack Pettitt 2-3, 2B, 2 RS, BB- Pitching 2 1/3 IP, 4 Hits, 2 RA, 2 ER, 2 K’s, 2 BB
Carter Durflinger 1-3, 2 RS, HBP
Zach Pleggenkuhle 2-4, 2 RBI, RS- Pitching WP, 3 1/3 IP, 4 Hits, 4 RA, 2 ER, 6 K’s, 3 BB
Luke Wilcox 1 RS
Jacob Blomgren 2-4, 2-Run HR, 3 RBI, 2 RS
Ganon Archer 2-3, RBI, RS, BB
Ben Gilliland 1 RBI
Ike Speltz 1-3, RBI
Austin Baumhover 3 BB
Chris Schreck 1 1/3 IP, K, BB
Davis County Stats
Clay Collier 2-4, RS, BB
Dawson Townsend 1-4, 2B
Taylor Huggins 2 RS
Caedyn Glosser 1-2, 3B, RBI, RS, BB
Dalton Reeves 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Noah Zmolek 1-3, RS, BB, SB- Pitching LP, 2/3 IP, 3 Hits, 4 RA, 4 ER, BB
Carson Maeder 1-3, 3B, 2 RBI, RS, BB- Pitching 4 2/3 IP, 6 Hits, 5 RA, 4 ER, 2 K’s, 4 BB
Easton White 1 BB
Gavin McCall 1 BB
Justin Matheney 1-4- Pitching 2/3 IP, 1 Hit
Box Score
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Final
Davis Co 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 6
Van Meter 4 4 0 0 0 1 x 8
