Bears raising the bar at BGM

DES MOINES - The current BGM Bears have made a habit of taking the athletic program to new territory.

So, it was fitting for the baseball team to cap the careers of an accomplished senior class with one more first.

The seventh-ranked Bears will make their debut at the Iowa High School Athletic Association state baseball tournament Friday, facing defending state champion and top-seeded Mason City Newman in a Class 1A quarterfinal at Principal Park, starting at 11 a.m.

The current cycle of players has set the bar higher than ever in football, reaching the state semifinals the last two football seasons including a runner-up finish in 2013. They can hang their hat on representing BGM (25-2) the state's biggest baseball stage.

'Everything these kids have done has rewritten school history,” said BGM Coach Jerod Burns, who is also the head football coach. 'Success breeds success. They are just winners. They understand what it takes.”

These have been dreams envisioned since they were Kindergartners on the playground at recess. The Bears shared their goals in all sports and it has been a fun ride that will conclude in the next eight days.

'It's great to play with these guys,” senior Kyle Gritsch said. 'It doesn't get any better than that.”

You might get a varied response when asking whether football or baseball is more rewarding.

'For me, I enjoy baseball more than football,” BGM pitcher Zac Freese said. 'It was also a great feeling to get to the Dome two years in a row, especially the finals. For most others, I'd say it's pretty equal.”

The only thing more impressive than the results have been the way they have gone about achieving them. Burns praised their work ethic and humility, doing their jobs without question or complaint.

'They are great kids,” Burns said. 'It's been a blessing to coach them and I'm proud of them.”

The latest feat sent Burns' cellphone into a frenzied with congratulatory texts and a bus ride to remember after beating Grundy Center to advance.

BGM cleared a major hurdle that proved to be a stumbling block the last two seasons. They captured that elusive substate championship and made more history.

'It's a good way to end it,” Freese said. 'Hopefully, we can play more than one game. We're never satisfied …”

Freese, Jack Kline and Gritsch, all members of that football team, have been at the center of the success on the diamond. They have made a major impact.

Freese is 14-0 this season and has gone 46-9 the last four years. His earned-run average has not been higher than 1.04, shrinking it to 0.63 this season. He has 99 strikeouts inn 77 1/3 innings pitched.

Kline also has been solid on the mound, owning a 7-1 mark with 0.74 ERA, but has been a defensive leader at shortstop, helping the Bears to 77 victories since taking over the position, according to Burns.

Kline and Gritsch lead the offense, each hitting .500. Gritsch has an astounding .628 on-base percentage and leads the Bears with 41 RBIs and six home runs.

'They have been a key part of the last three years,” Burns said. 'They have played well.”

They have meshed well with some less experienced players this season. The Bears start a freshman and four sophomores. The younger players have filled a role and contributed when needed.

'The last two teams have been better top to bottom,” Burns said. 'We're a lot younger than we have been. They have a great frame of mind. When we make a mistake, they get right after it.”

Newman (34-3) is making its 18th trip to state, winning titles in 1998, 2002, 2009 and last year. The Bears know they have a tough task to extend its season to next week.

'They're definitely a good team,” Gritsch said. 'They've been very good in the past.

'We're going to do our best and leave it all out on the field.”

Burns also wants them to enjoy the moment, regardless of outcome. The Bears will be looking for the upset, but he wants them to realize the special opportunity.

'I just made sure they don't take anything for granted,” Burns said. 'I don't want this experience to slip out of their hands and have them enjoy every minute of it.”

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