The third inning of Saturday’s Class 2A District baseball
opener proved to be the difference in Alta/Aurelia’s 8-3 victory over Okoboji.
The Warriors scored four runs that frame, breaking a 2-2 tie, and held on for
the win. Okoboji’s Zach Jones scored a run with one hit at the plate, while
also taking the loss on the hill. He allowed four earned runs on seven hits and
struck out four batters. The Pioneers end the season at 11-15 overall.
Alta/Aurelia advances to play Sioux Central in the district semifinals on
Tuesday in Emmetsburg.
The top half of that 2A District 2 bracket witnessed
Estherville-Lincoln Central get past Emmetsburg for the first time in three
tries this season, taking a 3-1 contest. The Midgets, playing on the E-Hawks home diamond, benefited
from a dominant pitching performance from Joe Clayton. The senior held
Emmetsburg to just four hits and set down seven batters via strikeouts. The
E-Hawks wrap up their season at 12-14, while ELC will take a 12-18 record back
to Emmetsburg on Tuesday for a matchup with Cornbelt Conference champions North Union.
In other Class 2A district play, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley
shutout Cherokee, 6-0, and will play Sheldon on Tuesday in Sioux Center.
The top half of the bracket saw the hometown Warriors drop a 9-2 contest to
Unity Christian. The Knights will return to Sioux Center
Tuesday for a game with Western Christian.
In Class 1A, Clay Central-Everly seems to have found some
late season magic. After starting the season 0-24, the Mavericks have won three
of their last four, including Saturday’s district opener against
Sibley-Ocheyedan, 11-7, in Hartley. Brent Treirweiler drove in five runs on two
extra-base hits. Generals starter Josh Earll struggled early and was unable to
get out of the second inning, allowing seven runs, though only two were earned.
Sibley-Ocheyedan ends the year at 5-17. CCE takes a 3-25 record back to Hartley
on Tuesday to battle South O’Brien.
