Successful Indians Season Wraps Up
The Oskaloosa Indians Baseball team had their season come to an end at the state tournament on Tuesday night.
by Wade Steinlage
History was made this summer, but the good times finally came to a close Tuesday night for the Oskaloosa baseball team as it was defeated by Harlan 6-0 in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A State Tournament.
Oskaloosa, which wraps up its year at 28-14, qualified for state for the first time since 1998 and just the second time ever, but ran into the perennial powerhouse and could not budge the Cyclones (35-2).
The Indians came out patient at the plate and the plan was successful as lead-off hitter Tyler Miller walked; he then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Unfortunately, #7-seeded OHS ran itself into trouble as Miller was doubled off on a caught bunt attempt. Bennett Spry also drew a walk and stole second, but he was stranded there.
Rian Yates took the hill in the bottom half and immediately received a harsh welcome to state by one of Iowa’s best hitting squads. The second-seeded Cyclones teed off for three runs on five hits in the first and never looked back.
Harlan eventually chased Yates from the game in the bottom of the second. Nick Harrington relieved him and was able to shut down the explosive offense, but not before the defending state champions tacked on three more runs.
Oskaloosa put runners on base in every frame except the seventh, but only produced one more strong scoring opportunity. Spry led off the sixth inning with a single and was moved to third on an Ethan Arnold double. With two in scoring position and only one out, the Indians again fell victim to a double play with this one ending the inning.
Miller, Spry, and Arnold each managed a hit as OHS was outhit just 7-3. The Cyclones did not record many base knocks but managed to get on in other ways, including drawing six walks and being hit by a pitch twice.
Harrington permitted just one run on two hits over five innings; he struck out five and walked six. Yates also collected a strikeout in one-plus inning of work.
