Waverly-Shell Rock wins first state baseball title

DES MOINES – If Waverly-Shell Rock had nerves in its first ever state baseball championship game, you certainly couldn't tell.

The Go-Hawks needed just five innings in the Class 3A final at Principal Park to put away Harlan, 11-1, for their first state title.

Carrying a 3-1 lead into the fifth, W-SR racked up eight runs, capped by Jake Velky's walkoff two-run double, starting a frenzy on the field.

Alex Robson got the win on the mound and helped his own cause with a pair of hits and RBIs.

'This team was doubted all year long, going into this season,” said Robson, who was 11-0 on the mound for the year. 'So many people stepped up, it's unbelievable. Like I said, I just love this team.”

W-SR took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first before Harlan responded with a run in the second. Robson broke a 1-1 tie with an RBI single in the fourth as the Go-Hawks took a 3-1 lead.

Harlan finishes 28-8. W-SR, which only made its first state appearance last season, caps the season 35-4.

'I wish it never ended,” Robson said, 'but this is awesome.”

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