Indians Advance to District Final
Peyton Crouse (left) slides into home plate as part of a 10-run 5th inning that helped Oskaloosa defeat Chariton.
by Wade Steinlage
The Oskaloosa Indian baseball team is one step away from playing for a berth to state.
Oskaloosa (26-13) ended the regular season last Tuesday with a 7-2 win over Fairfield and then began postseason action with a 13-3 victory (six innings) over Chariton in the district semifinal.
The Indians will now meet #9 Knoxville in the Class 3A District 12 final Monday in Oskaloosa (Lacey Complex). First pitch is set for 7 p.m. The winner will play the District 11 champion (Vinton-Shellsburg or Benton) Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Vinton.
Oskaloosa 7, Fairfield 2
The Indians gave up two early runs, but controlled the rest of the contest to roll into the playoffs having won five of their last six games.
Tucker Nunnikhoven tallied three of OHS’s nine hits (Fairfield was limited to three). He had two doubles, scored twice, and drove in a pair of runs. Nick Harrington was good for two RBIs as well.
It was pitcher-by-committee for the Indians as seven different hurlers worked exactly one inning each in the win. Rian Yates, Peyton Crouse, Charlie Bandstra, and Harrington all struck out one batter.
Oskaloosa 13, Chariton 3
The Indians were in danger of suffering an opening-round collapse, but a 10-run explosion in the fifth frame put the team on top for good.
While the final score may have been lopsided, the edge in hits was just 9-8 for Oskaloosa. Bennett Spry led all hitters with three base knocks, while Tyler Miller, Ethan Arnold, and Alex DeJong contributed two hits. Spry was also at the head of the class in runs with three, while Miller and Nunnikhoven came across two times each.
The trio of Miller, Harrington, and Arnold managed two RBIs apiece, while Nunnikhoven and Spry were busy on the pads with two stolen bases each. The Indians also showed patience at the dish as Seth Sarver drew four walks and Crouse added two more.
Yates struck out two in four innings of action, while Bandstra (one strikeout) and Harrington (two strikeouts, one walk) also made one-inning appearances.
