Oskaloosa Senior Night Spoiled By Fairfield

Noah Van Veldhuizen was a force on the mound against Fairfield on Tuesday night. (photo by Tasha Jenssen)

Oskaloosa baseball celebrated Senior night Tuesday night honoring their three senior players Rian Yates, Cole Kraber and Nik Dykstra but unfortunately suffered a 2-1 loss to 8th ranked Fairfield.

The Indians scored one run on two hits in the first inning and held that 1-0 lead until the top of the seventh inning when the Trojans scored two runs on two hits to avoid the upset.

In the first inning Colton Butler hit a two-out base hit, then scored on an RBI single from Rian Yates, but from there only managed one more hit in the bottom of the seventh inning on an infield single from Wyatt Krier. The Indians struggled against Fairfield’s ace pitcher Kosta Papazaglou who threw 110 pitches over six and two-thirds innings. He allowed one run on three hits, struck out 13 Indian batters and walked four in getting the win.

Noah Van Veldhuizen pitched a gem for Osky, throwing the first five innings, allowing 0 runs on only three hits. He struck out seven and walked three. Tyler Miller took the loss, however, pitching the final two innings in relief, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out four and walking two.

Osky held a 1-0 lead and had the 8th ranked Trojans down to their final three outs heading into the top of the seventh inning but a leadoff walk to Drew Martin, the number nine hitter in their order, came back to haunt the Indians. Papazaglou then ripped a single into right field advancing Martin to third. Carter Ferrel laid down a bunt and reached base when Osky didn’t execute defensively, scoring Martin to tie the game while Papazaglou advanced to third. Papazaglou then scored on a wild pitch to give the Trojans a 2-1 lead before Miller got the final two outs.

In the bottom of the seventh, Nik Dykstra drew a two-out walk, and Wyatt Krier reached on an infield single, but the Indians couldn’t push the tying run across the plate and suffered the 2-1 loss.

Oskaloosa fell to 18-9 on the season while Fairfield improved to 22-4. The Indians face another tough test Wednesday night when they host 7th ranked Centerville, who won the 2A State Championship last season. From there Osky will play their final two conference games with Pella Christian on Thursday night at 5:30 pm. The first game will resume where it left off last week with Osky leading 12-0 in the top of the fifth inning; then they’ll play a full second game.

The games will be played at the Lacey Babe Ruth field due to Osky softball hosting a 4A Regional that same night