MORAVIA – North Mahaska’s baseball team has had a few comeback victories this season but none more dramatic than Saturday’s District 9 contest. For 6 2/3 innings the Warhawks trailed 1-0 to Twin Cedars, a team that defeated them 12-7 in the season opener in May. A pair of walks and a dramatic two-out single sent NM to the district semifinal 2-1.
North Mahaska will face host Moravia, the No. 2 seed, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5. Moravia (22-7) defeated Moulton-Udell 23-3 in three innings.
North Mahaska starting pitcher Nash Smith struggled with control early and walked three of the first four batters he faced. A fielder’s choice allowed the Sabers to score the run. Smith settled in and left the mound in the top of the fourth and gave way to Jack Kelderman, who earned the win.
Despite the rough start, the two pitchers no-hit Twin Cedars. Smith walked five and struck out seven while Kelderman issued a walk and fanned four.
North Mahaska (14-10) were down to their last out after two quick ones in the bottom of the seventh inning. Twin Cedars’ Casey Clark, who had only yielded one hit in the game and a pair of walks in the previous six innings walked Lucas Nunnikhoven, who stole second base. Carter Lake also walked and speedster Charlie Goemaat came in to run for Lake.
Hunter Wernli singled to load the bases and Nate Sampson, who powered the Warhawks’ win over Colfax-Mingo earlier in the week pushed the ball through the left side of the infield. Nunnikhoven easily scored and coach Kevin Kelderman went for it and had Goemaat head to the plate. TC catcher Holden Roberts could not control the ball and Goemaat slid in securing the victory for the Warhawks,.
Coach Kelderman was pleased with his pitchers keeping the Warhawks in the game.
“Nash battled control tbut he stayed at it,” said Kelderman. “Jack came in and our defense kept them from getting a hit.”
Sampson, who has been on a tear in his leadoff spot knew what his role was in the final scene.
“Our lower lineup guys set it up and I knew I had to put the ball in play,” said Sampson. “I knew I had to make them play defense and have to make a play.”
Sampson’s single resulted in two RBIs. Ben Johannes, Smith and Wernli had the other hits for North Mahaska.
Clark took the loss for TC allowing two runs on four hits, four walks and eight strikeouts.
