Hurricanes Capture Dirtbags NIT Title
Kneeling L to R – Lucas Bunnell, Hogan Rockhold, Colton Jones, Jackson Blythe, & Austin Hafner
Standing L to R – Coach Doug Yates, Nik Dykstra, Casey Hill, Cole Henry, Rian Yates, Jacob Hacker, Coach Vaughn Blythe, & Coach Todd Hafner
Missing from photo – Cole Kraber, Coach Troy Kraber
The Oskaloosa Hurricanes 14U USSSA baseball team claimed the championship at the Dirtbags NIT tournament in Altoona this past weekend. After an opening game loss, the Hurricanes rolled to four straight wins in earning their first title of the season.
Oskaloosa opened Saturday pool play with a disappointing 7-5 loss to the Grand Slam Sabercats. The ‘Canes led 4-2 early in the contest, but were not able to overcome errors in the field and on the base paths. Casey Hill led the way offensively for the Hurricanes with two hits, and Cole Kraber and Rian Yates collected a hit each. Kraber and Hill shared pitching duties in the loss.
The Hurricanes came out focused in Saturday’s second game earning a 3-2 victory over the Des Moines Hawks. Cole Henry and Yates pitched efficiently, and were backed with solid defense in limiting the Hawks to only two runs. Yates had two doubles, with Lucas Bunnell and Kraber getting a base hit each.
Bracket play began Sunday morning with Oskaloosa as the #3 seed against the host Iowa Sticks Red. The ‘Canes jumped out to an early 4-1 lead, and never looked back winning 9-2. Hill punctuated the Oskaloosa scoring with a three-run HR blast to left field in the last inning. Austin Hafner, Nik Dykstra, Hogan Rockhold, Bunnell, Henry and Yates had base hits. Henry threw five strong innings for the win, with Yates handling the final frame.
Oskaloosa started slowly in the semi-final contest against MidWest Pride, but erupted for 13 runs in the 3rd inning to cruise to a 13-0 run-rule victory. Dykstra pounded out three hits with Jackson Blythe, Colton Jones, Rockhold, and Yates each having two hits. Jacob Hacker, Hafner, Hill, Henry, and Bunnell contributed singles in the offensive explosion. Yates allowed four hits while striking out five en route to the win.
The championship game featured a rematch against the Des Moines Hawks. The Hawks took an early 2-0 lead, but the ‘Canes stayed close thanks to great defensive plays by Hacker and Bunnell at 3rd base. Three straight hits and a couple of walks in the third inning tied the score at 2. Oskaloosa’s Rockhold scored the winning run from 2nd base on a base hit by Yates in the sixth inning leading to a 3-2 Hurricanes triumph. Hill pitched five innings allowing four hits, with Blythe throwing the last two innings to pick up the win. Yates had three hits in the contest. Hafner, Dykstra, Hill, and Blythe added base hits.
The Hurricanes are back in action Memorial Day weekend at the Stars & Strikes NIT tournament in Des Moines.
