Oskaloosa Babe Ruth Team Finishes Season
Players listed according to the photo are Front Row, Mitchell Schaffner, Nick Rutledge, Skylar De Jong, Camden Cressley, Max Johnson, Nate Van Veldhuizen and Brandon Den Hartog. Back Row, Manager Scott Van Veldhuizen, Jacob Cummings, Travis Gile, T.J. Boyle, Cody Bossard, Colton Swanson and coach Steve De Jong. Other coaches assisting but not pictured are Matt Saville and Rob Schaffner.
Team finishes strong in 15 yr old and under all stars state tournament play in Fairfield.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Osky Babe Ruth 15 and under All Stars lost Sunday to Boone 11-1. Colton Swanson took the loss on the mound. Other pitchers were Mitchell Schaffner and Nick Rutledge. Mitchell Schaffner and Nick Rutledge added 2 singles while Brandon Den Hartog, and Max Johnson also singled. Osky committed 6 errors in the field leading to the loss.
However, we turned a rare triple play in the first inning of the game. Boone had runners on first and second when the third batter lined a shot to center field that was snagged at the ground by Mitchell Schaffner who threw to Rutledge at second who, in turn, threw to Travis Gile at first to catch both runners off base and complete the play.
At the end of a rare triple play. Travis Gile, Osky First Baseman, touches the bag to get the batter/runner out as the last out in a triple play. Pitcher Colton Swanson celebrates in the background while Third Baseman Brandon Den Hartog looks on. (photo by Diane Crookham-Johnson)
Seven of the 12 boys on the team are 14 so they hope to return again next year in the 15 yr old division to make a run at the State Championship. Boone went on to beat Fairfield and now finds itself competing for the Championship against Tri-County South and Ottumwa. Osky finishes 5th in the tournament.
The team had initially moved to state level play after advancing out of district play.
July 22, Osky had beat Davis County 10-0 in 5 innings and moved on to play Tri-County South (Southside of Iowa City). Colton Swanson pitched all 5 innings giving up only 2 hits, no walks, and chalked up 10 strikeouts.
Offense in the Davis County- Colton Swanson and Camden Cressley each singled to lead the Osky hitters. Osky batters drew 11 walks and stole 8 bases to lead the offense attack.
July 23, Osky lost to Tri-County South 8-1. Six Osky fielding errors and a lack of hits led to the loss. Mitchell Schaffner pitched a fine 4 innings but took the loss in giving up 6 earned and 2 unearned runs. Nick Rutledge came on in relief and held them scoreless in the final two innings.
Nate Van Veldhuizen and Travis Gile singled while Mitchell Schaffner doubled to lead the Osky hitters.
