Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Rankings: North Linn remains a staple in Class 1A poll

Attitude. Concentration. Effort.

Control those aspects and control most outcomes. North Linn Coach Travis Griffith has produced consistent success, emphasizing that message to his players.

The Lynx have won 13 straight games, improving to 17-2 overall, and remain No. 7 in the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 1A rankings released Monday. North Linn has earned the top seed in 1A District 7, receiving a first-round bye and facing the winner of Lisbon and Midland.

“I think we are finally getting healthy and are playing some really good baseball,” Griffith said. “Our younger arms carried us early in the season, but the two big arms – (Mason) Bechen and (Cole) Griffith are finally back pitching. That makes our pitching staff extremely deep. We have two weeks to continue to improve on the little things, but I think we will be ready to make another run.”

Seniors Bechen, Griffith, Cael Benesh and Mason Zimmerman have been key figures for multiple years. They helped lead the Lynx to the state quarterfinals a year ago and are making an impact again.

Bechen and Griffith ranked first and second on the team with 27 and 26 hits, respectively. Benesh is fourth at 18. Bechen and Griffith have scored 35 and 28 runs, while Griffith has a team-high 28 RBIs, only three ahead of Benesh. Zimmerman is tied for the team lead with three wins with 27 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings pitched.

“Our seniors are the backbone of our entire team,” Griffith said. “Most talented players but extremely hard working and help our younger kids out. Last season was a testament to this as these seniors helped work with our rookies learn to play high school ball and play our style of small ball, effectively.”

Injuries have forced younger pitchers to mature quickly. They have responded. Freshman Liam Thompson has emerged as a top arm, throwing 18 1/3 innings, which only trails Zimmerman.

Sophomore Waylon Raue and freshmen Jackson Nielsen and Macoy Winn are all 3-0. Raue and Will Sommerfelt have made strides, allowing the Lynx to field a balanced batting order.

North Linn defeated No. 2 Sigourney, 5-3, last week. Both were state qualifiers in 2024. The experience from last year’s postseason has built confidence to face all challenges.

“Last year, I think we were still scared and intimidated in big nights and on the big stage in Carroll,” Griffith said. “This year, it feels like we want to be in that moment more and aren't waiting around for our three seniors to go make all the big plays, like we were last summer.”

Mississippi Valley Conference teams litter the 4A poll. Cedar Rapids Prairie slipped just one spot to No. 2 after getting swept Friday by Iowa City Liberty, which returns to the rankings at No. 8. Iowa City High remains at No. 3 and Cedar Rapids Kennedy comes in at 10th.

Marion is third in 3A again and Wamac Conference foe Benton Community is No. 10. Iowa City Regina dropped slightly to No. 9 in 2A, one spot ahead of Dyersville Beckman. Lansing Kee is No. 8 in 1A.

Pleasant Valley (4A), Dubuque Wahlert (3A), Underwood (2A) and Remsen St. Mary’s (1A) are ranked No. 1. Pleasant Valley is the only new top-ranked team.

IOWA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION RANKINGS

(Record in parentheses)

Week 6 (June 23)

CLASS 4A

1. Pleasant Valley, 2. C.R. Prairie, 3. Iowa City High, 4. Sioux City East, 5. Johnston, 6. Waukee Northwest, 7. Waukee, 8. Iowa City Liberty, 9. Ankeny Centennial, 10. C.R. Kennedy

Others receiving votes (alphabetical order): Ames, Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Indianola, West Des Moines Valley

CLASS 3A

1. Dubuque Wahlert, 2. Pella, 3. Marion, 4. Sioux City Heelan, 5. Ballard, 6. Algona, 7. MOC-Floyd Valley, 8. Saydel, 9. Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 10. Benton Community

Others receiving votes (alphabetical order): Boone, Carlisle, C.R. Xavier, Davenport Assumption, Decorah

CLASS 2A

1. Underwood, 2. Pleasantville, 3. Van Meter, 4. West Lyon, 5. Chariton, 6. Mediapolis, 7. Unity Christian, 8. Grundy Center, 9. Iowa City Regina, 10. Dyersville Beckman

Others receiving votes (alphabetical order): Bellevue Marquette, Forest City, New Hampton, Spirit Lake, Sumner-Fredericksburg

CLASS 1A

1. Remsen St. Mary’s, 2. Sigourney, 3. Lynnville-Sully, 4. Coon Rapids-Bayard, 5. Saint Ansgar, 6. Martensdale-St. Marys, 7. North Linn, 8. Lansing Kee, 9. Mason City Newman, 10. Don Bosco

Others receiving votes (alphabetical order): Bedford, Lake Mills, Logan-Magnolia, MMCRU, Wapsie Valley

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