Heelan, SB-L open Class 3A substate
By Steven Allspach - Journal sports writer | Posted: Friday, July 11, 2008
Posted from 07/11/08:
Sergeant Bluff-Luton, a team that fairly tears the cover off the baseball, and opportunistic Bishop Heelan open Class 3A district tournament play tonight in Le Mars.
After Sergeant Bluff-Luton (19-9) and MOC-Floyd Valley (21-9) tangle at 5 o'clock, host Le Mars takes on the 22-13 Crusaders, who were eighth in the final 3A rankings released Thursday by the Iowa Baseball Coaches Association.
"We've been an inconsistent team all season, but we've won five of our last six games and we also had a nine-game winning streak at one time," says Heelan's Andy Osborne, in his first season at the school. "Hopefully, we've ironed out inconsistent play.
"Defensively, you've got to be at your best at tournament time, too."
Senior Adam Hasselquist will start on the mound for Le Mars, which brings a 17-14 record into the contest. Hasselquist pitched the first 1 1/3 innings of a 4-3 nine-inning loss at Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson Tuesday night, striking out two and giving up four hits and a run.
SB-L's could start either John Mascarello (6-2), one of just two seniors who play regularly for veteran Coach Rick Admire's Warriors, a sophomore phenom Levi Maxfield, on the mound.
Earlier this summer, Maxfield threw no-hitters in three successive stars, believed to be an Iowa prep record.
It's been superior hitting, though, that has stamped SB-L a legitimate state tourney contender.
Stinging the baseball at a phenomenal clip lately has been Jordan Huffman.
Before losing its final two regular-season games earlier this week, one of them to East High, Huffman had ripped 26 hits in his previous 35 at-bats.
"I really can't explain hitting like that," says Huffman. "You hear batters talk about seeing the pitches really well, but I don't know about that.
"I'm just trying to level off and take good swings."
The 26-for-35 tear, a dazzling .670 clip, raised his batting average to .543 with five homers, 15 doubles and 39 RBIs.
To a certain degree, Huffman shouldn't even be playing this summer.
Twice the junior has had surgery to repair muscle damage to his right shoulder.
"There are times when I'm still in a lot of pain," said the son of SB-L wrestling coach Joel Huffman, "but I was determined not to miss this season.
"I'm just thankful to be out there playing."
Huffman was also a promising pitching prospect and Admire says he would have probably been his team's No. 1 hurler going into the season had it not been for the injury.
"I still haven't given up on pitching," says Jordan. "If the shoulder gets back to normal you might see me out there on the mound again."
Meanwhile, Heelan opens its bid for a state tourney berth with junior Conor Krommenhoek on the mound. He's 6-1 with a 2.19 ERA.
Heelan has won 3A state titles in 2001 and in 2005.
The Crusaders defeated Manchester West Delaware in the title game in 2001. West Delaware is the defending champ and is currently ranked No. 1.
HEELAN PROBABLE LINEUP
David Kerian, second base, fr., .375; Joe Greer, center field, sr., .344; Tanner Oliver, catcher, sr., .373; Evan Knowlton, designated hitter, .jr., 370; T.J. Obermeyer, first base, jr., .313; A.J. Staiert, third base, soph., .328; A.J. LeMoine, shortstop, sr., .239; Shay Hacker, left field, sr., 202; Conor Krommenhoek, pitcher, jr., 6-1, 2.19 ERA will not bat.
Sergeant Bluff-Luton, a team that fairly tears the cover off the baseball, and opportunistic Bishop Heelan open Class 3A district tournament play tonight in Le Mars.
After Sergeant Bluff-Luton (19-9) and MOC-Floyd Valley (21-9) tangle at 5 o'clock, host Le Mars takes on the 22-13 Crusaders, who were eighth in the final 3A rankings released Thursday by the Iowa Baseball Coaches Association.
"We've been an inconsistent team all season, but we've won five of our last six games and we also had a nine-game winning streak at one time," says Heelan's Andy Osborne, in his first season at the school. "Hopefully, we've ironed out inconsistent play.
"Defensively, you've got to be at your best at tournament time, too."
Senior Adam Hasselquist will start on the mound for Le Mars, which brings a 17-14 record into the contest. Hasselquist pitched the first 1 1/3 innings of a 4-3 nine-inning loss at Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson Tuesday night, striking out two and giving up four hits and a run.
SB-L's could start either John Mascarello (6-2), one of just two seniors who play regularly for veteran Coach Rick Admire's Warriors, a sophomore phenom Levi Maxfield, on the mound.
Earlier this summer, Maxfield threw no-hitters in three successive stars, believed to be an Iowa prep record.
It's been superior hitting, though, that has stamped SB-L a legitimate state tourney contender.
Stinging the baseball at a phenomenal clip lately has been Jordan Huffman.
Before losing its final two regular-season games earlier this week, one of them to East High, Huffman had ripped 26 hits in his previous 35 at-bats.
"I really can't explain hitting like that," says Huffman. "You hear batters talk about seeing the pitches really well, but I don't know about that.
"I'm just trying to level off and take good swings."
The 26-for-35 tear, a dazzling .670 clip, raised his batting average to .543 with five homers, 15 doubles and 39 RBIs.
To a certain degree, Huffman shouldn't even be playing this summer.
Twice the junior has had surgery to repair muscle damage to his right shoulder.
"There are times when I'm still in a lot of pain," said the son of SB-L wrestling coach Joel Huffman, "but I was determined not to miss this season.
"I'm just thankful to be out there playing."
Huffman was also a promising pitching prospect and Admire says he would have probably been his team's No. 1 hurler going into the season had it not been for the injury.
"I still haven't given up on pitching," says Jordan. "If the shoulder gets back to normal you might see me out there on the mound again."
Meanwhile, Heelan opens its bid for a state tourney berth with junior Conor Krommenhoek on the mound. He's 6-1 with a 2.19 ERA.
Heelan has won 3A state titles in 2001 and in 2005.
The Crusaders defeated Manchester West Delaware in the title game in 2001. West Delaware is the defending champ and is currently ranked No. 1.
HEELAN PROBABLE LINEUP
David Kerian, second base, fr., .375; Joe Greer, center field, sr., .344; Tanner Oliver, catcher, sr., .373; Evan Knowlton, designated hitter, .jr., 370; T.J. Obermeyer, first base, jr., .313; A.J. Staiert, third base, soph., .328; A.J. LeMoine, shortstop, sr., .239; Shay Hacker, left field, sr., 202; Conor Krommenhoek, pitcher, jr., 6-1, 2.19 ERA will not bat.
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