Team-first approach propels East Buchanan to Iowa high school state baseball tournament debut

East Buchanan arrived in Carroll Sunday evening.

The trek reached unchartered territory for its baseball program that has steadily improved the last couple of years. The destination has been a longtime coming for players, coaches, former Buccaneers and even the community.

“It feels good,” East Buchanan sophomore Brady Van Scoyoc said. “We get to go walk where no one else has walked before.”

The Buccaneers earned an opportunity to step foot on the manicured grass and smooth dirt of Merchants Park, making their debut at the Class 1A high school state baseball tournament. Seventh-seeded East Buchanan (17-9) opens against defending state champion and No. 2 Lynnville-Sully (24-2) in the quarterfinal Monday at 4:30 p.m.

“We all had the common goal that we wanted to make it here,” Buccaneers senior Will Hansen said. “Not only do we want to make it here but we want to make it further than this, too.”

This moment has been at least a year in the making. Maybe even longer. North Linn eliminated East Buchanan the last two seasons, including a district final win a year ago. The Buccaneers spent the offseason, working to avoid a similar fate this season. Redemption eventually came in a substate final victory.

“The loss to North Linn last year stung a lot of players,” Van Scoyoc said. “We got in the cages and finally got them back.”

East Buchanan Coach Thomas Crawford said every team has the state tournament in their sights. This group was determined to circumvent the postseason roadblock of the last couple seasons.

“So, we said we wanted to get over that hump of winning the district championship, but then also continue on to state,” Crawford said. “We set that goal at the beginning of the year and we did it.”

One of the guiding forces of East Buchanan’s state qualifier is a strong bond and camaraderie of all 15 players, ranging from four freshmen to two seniors.

Sunday morning, they gathered for breakfast at Buccaneers assistant coach Daron Cornell’s house. Video games and billiards were on tap. Hansen conceded that Van Scoyoc is the top player in video games and Freshman brothers, Trey and Tristan Cornell, usually run the table but have an unfair advantage at home. Senior Tod Dawes is solid with a cue.

“With our guys being multisport athletes, you’re hanging out with the same group of guys either way,” Hansen said. “You get used to the group that you have and hang with them. Everybody likes each other. That’s the big thing.”

Now, pool basketball is another story. Van Scoyoc didn’t shy away from sharing his prowess in in pool hoops. Van Scoyoc said it’s all for fun but it can get competitive.

“I’m supposed to be humble in this situation but I’m going to say it’s me,” Van Scoyoc said with a laugh. “I feel like I win quite a bit. Keenan Pals is also kind of good. Me and Trey on a team together, we’re pretty unstoppable.”

Crawford said the team has made the rounds through the Buchanan County Fair this week. He said he’s not sure what they’re doing but knows they are doing it together. The tight-knit crew spends almost as much time off the diamond as they do on it.

“These guys love being with each other, being around each other and playing baseball,” Crawford said. “They're always together.”

The Buccaneers traveled together to watch other high school games and even scouted teams as a group. All the time spent together enhances their performance in competition. They know how to uplift teams or get them focused. Sometimes it’s a stern reminder everything is fine after a play or a pat on the back to do better next time.

“We hang out a lot during the weekends,” Van Scoyoc said. “I think that can translate to the field. Communication is easier. If someone is struggling, it’s easier to see that and pick them up. We know what they need. It’s easier to keep momentum as well.”

East Buchanan has thrived with leadership by committee. Sure, Pals, Hansen, Van Scoyoc and the Cornells have contributed to the offense. Hansen and Van Scoyoc have consumed the most innings on the mound, but Tristan Cornell and Pals have provided some depth.

“We don’t just have one leader,” Hansen said. “We’ve got nine leaders on the field at one time. I think that plays a big role in how we perform.

“Working together as a team. You can’t win when you’re fighting all the time.”

The unified front has produced selfless play that helped East Buchanan score 7.2 runs per game. Crawford said the Buccaneers are versatile at the plate, executing 13 sacrifices and six sacrifice flies.

Many years of baseball have developed different strengths, including the ability to manufacturing runs, especially this postseason.

“Everybody's ready to do a job, no matter what that job is,” Crawford said. “It's just the kids on the team. They show up ready to go. They compete. They always want to win, so they're willing to put in the time and do what it takes to get that success.”

East Buchanan will savor the new moment Monday, while striving to reach its first semifinal. The Buccaneers know they have a tough challenge with Lynnville-Sully. They will face it together.

“We just have to show up ready to go like we have been for the most part all year,” Crawford said. “If we show up ready to go and play ball the way that we know how to and the way that we have, I think we should be just fine.

“The biggest challenge is with this being the first state tournament appearance ever for East Buchanan, it's going to be new to everybody – players coaches, fans. Just keeping our minds right in that environment. There's no doubt in my mind that we we're going to be able to do that just fine.”

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