Vinton-Shellsburg: Terrific team, heartbreaking finish

VINTON - An American flag behind the center field fence of the baseball field at Vinton-Shellsburg High barely moved at game time Wednesday night. Humidity hung like a curveball that didn't break.

But a strong wind kicked up in the second inning, blowing away some dirt and chalk in the home plate area. Brief sprinkling began, and the temperature dropped at least 10 degrees in a matter of moments.

The swift change was a sign of things to come in the Class 3A substate game played here. Vinton-Shellsburg, coming off a 1-0 Class 3A district final win over county-rival Benton Community Monday, led by that score in the top of the seventh inning against Oskaloosa.

But then, a disturbance entered the Vikings' atmosphere. Oskaloosa had been held to three hits over six innings by VSHS pitcher Nate Struve, who was 8-0 coming in. But the Indians used a pair of hits to get runners on second and third with one out in the seventh.

Pinch-hitter Blake VanVeldhuisen hit a high chopper for a groundout that scored the tying run. Seth Sarver lined a single into right field for another run, and it was 2-1.

With two out in the bottom of the seventh, Vinton-Shellsburg's Conner Miracle singled. But Scott Wirth, who doubled and scored in the third inning, struck out. A team that was good enough to compete for and possibly win the state-championship was suddenly done.

'Thank you, seniors,” someone in the crowd said, and applause from others followed. But it would take time for this team to accept thanks and tributes.

If you hadn't known Vinton-Shellsburg was 35-5 entering the game, you didn't need to watch for very long to realize it was good.

'That pitcher is tough. They had a great year. That's a great team,” said Oskaloosa Coach Clint Gingerich, who played for Iowa Mennonite's 2007 1A title team.

Osky heads to state with a 28-13 mark. Indians pitcher Peyton Crouse didn't walk anyone and his teammates committed no errors, allowing them to stay close. Their players in the dugout were spirited all game long.

'We teach the guys to be positive,” Gingerich said. 'In the game of baseball you have long days, hot days. You have to stay positive.”

While family members and girlfriends celebrated with Oskaloosa's players on one side of the field, Vinton-Shellsburg Coach Jim Struve took his team to deep left field for a private conversation.

After speaking to his players as they stood somberly, he hugged each one. Eight seniors went to the state tourney two years ago as sophomores. They thought they would return next week.

'They certainly had a goal for a long time,” said Jim Struve, who recently got his 600th win at the school. 'One game doesn't define the season. It was a record-breaking season. We won the (Wamac) West Division crown, a district championship. We got to our third-straight substate final.

'I've been around these seniors for 10 years. The entire team is special, but they're extra-special. They care for each other. They play the game the right way. They worked hard for all they earned this year, and they're great-character kids. That makes this tougher.”

Oskaloosa has been to the state tourney just once before, in 1998. The team it lost to was the eventual state-champion. That was Vinton-Shellsburg.