Like a good Neighbor: Alburnett’s Shane Neighbor always there behind the plate

ALBURNETT — Shane Neighbor has been a defensive constant for Alburnett.

The Pirates senior has started every game at catcher the last three seasons.

“He’s been an iron horse for us,” Alburnett Coach Ryan Stensland said. “He catches all the time for us. He’s a commander on the field. Shane has respect for the kids and has really grown into that role. I’m proud how he’s taken that on.”

Neighbor stepped behind the dish for the 94th consecutive game and then contributed at the plate for Alburnett. He tallied a game-high three hits and two RBIs in a 15-0 rout in four innings over Springville Saturday night in a Class 1A District 7 first-round baseball contest at home.

“They came out focused,” Stensland said. “I thought we executed well.”

Neighbor has been reliable in a key position for the Pirates. He has focused on a more consistent approach this season, but he’s also more confident and relaxed.

“I think being more loose and throwing the ball around more as catcher really helped,” Neighbior said. “Over the past couple years, I was a little more timid. I think having it loose and having guys you can trust on the field really helps.”

Stensland recalls a week-long heat wave earlier this season. Neighbor caught seven games and was unfazed. No problems, questions or gripes.

“He puts on the gear every day,” Stensland said. “He comes out, does his job and doesn’t complain. He leads by example and you need guys like that in your program.”

The all-stater helped ignite the offense that opened the game with two straight strikeouts. Reed Stallman reached with a double and Neighbor followed with an RBI single to make it 1-0.

“I think the first at-bat was the biggest one,” said Neighbor, who entered the game with a .388 batting average and .479 on-base percentage. “Just getting that first run on the board loosened everything up for us. The rest just came with the game.”

Cade Evans added an RBI single to score courtesy runner Dylan Barenz for a 2-0 lead. Alburnett pulled away in the second.

The Pirates (25-9) scored 11 runs on four hits and six errors. Neighbor had two hits with an RBI single in the frame that included 16 batters at the plate.

It wasn’t a first for Neighbor, but it was rare.

“Not a lot,” Neighbor said about two hits in the same inning. “Every once in a while but the chances of getting two in one inning is pretty tough.”

Hunter Caves had a two-run double and Andrew Ossman added an RBI single in the same inning. Ossman drove in two and Caves finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs. He also scored twice.

“Hunter’s explosive,” Stensland said. “He’s a dynamic player and fun to watch. He finds a way to turn it on and great athletes do that.”

Kale Rose and Gavin Soukup combined on the shutout. Rose allowed two hits and struck out four through three innings. Soukup surrendered one hit in the fourth

Alburnett will host the winner between Iowa Valley and HLV on Tuesday. The first-round game between the Tigers and Warriors was rained out Saturday and will be held Monday.

“I’m really proud of them,” Stensland said. “We have to keep it rolling.”

Alex Koppes, Grant Gloekner and Bryce Wilson each had a hit for the Orioles (5-18).

In the nightcap, sixth-ranked Don Bosco scored 15 runs in the bottom of the first and rolled to a 16-0 victory in four innings over Central City.

The Dons (23-4) sent 18 batters to the plate in the first. Landon Frost had two doubles and three RBIs, Cael Frost had a two-run triple and Jack Purdy added a three-run triple in the first.

Don Bosco advances to the district semifinals against the winner of Belle Plaine and North Tama.