Solon is out, and Jim White likely is, too

SOLON — All but one set of lights had been extinguished. The field was groomed, and nearly everyone else had gone home.

His wife and son in tow, Jim White solemnly placed his cleats at home plate, paused for a moment and walked away.

No words were necessary. The symbolic action said plenty.

Ninth-ranked Albia outplayed No. 6 Solon in Monday's Class 3A regional final at the Solon Athletic Complex, 11-3, ending the Spartans' six-year state-tournament run.

White has said for the past three years that his coaching days were growing short, that he wanted to follow his sons' baseball careers.

He didn't confirm anything Monday, merely smiling and saying, 'You can take a picture of my shoes if you like.'

He did go on to say that an official announcement probably won't be made anytime soon.

If this is it, don't be surprised if White's wife, Erin, is his successor.

White owns a career mark of 995-151 in 23 years, including 186-33 in five seasons at Solon. He has won seven state titles — six at Clear Creek Amana, and one here.

This is only the sixth time that one of his teams fell short of Fort Dodge.

Credit the young Lady Dees, who White said prophetically on Saturday is 'the second most talented team' in 3A, behind No. 1 Davenport Assumption.

'I really do feel that way,' White said atfer Monday's game. 'That being said, I really thought there were some things we could take advantage of.

'Putting the ball in play was one of them.'

Instead, it was Solon that suffered defensively. The Spartans committed four errors.

Albia (28-8) scored four unearned runs in the top of the third inning, and led the rest of the way.

'Solon's such a good team, and it feels so great to burst their (state-tournament) streak,' said Albia catcher Alex Beard. 'It's so awesome, I can't describe it.'

The Lady Dees will face No. 2 Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley (32-2) in a 3A state quarterfinal at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Rogers Sports Complex, Fort Dodge.

Solon retired at 30-13.

Beard's three-run double highlighted the Lady Dees' third-inning rally, which began with two Solon errors.

The Spartans got within 4-2 in the fourth on a wild pitch and an RBI ground-out by Tara Lance. But Albia quickly regained control, then eventually delivered the knockout blow with five runs in the seventh.

'I felt pretty good when it was 4-2, but in the sixth and seventh innings, our emotions got the best of us,' White said.

ALBIA 11, SOLON 3

Class 3A Regional Final, at Solon

Albia 004 011 5 — 11 8 1

Solon 000 200 1 — 3 6 4

Jena Lawrence and Alex Beard. McKenna Miller, Kayla West (4), Miller (7) and Jess Heick. W — Lawrence (20-7). L — Miller (12-7). HR — ALB: Abbie Martin (1).

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com