Around the horn in Iowa high school baseball: Marion sweeps Independence and more notable wins from last week

The Gazette takes a look at some of the area Iowa high school baseball results from last week and upcoming games of interest this week.

Marion sweeps Independence

The season has had its share of challenges for Marion. The team has been displaced by field renovations and injuries and illness have been prevalent. The defending state champions even fell out of the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 3A rankings for a week.

The Wolves moved back into the top 10 after a big doubleheader sweep of then-No. 8 Independence, 4-2 and 12-6, Saturday at Mount Mercy. Marion climbed back into the rankings at No. 9 this week, one spot ahead of the Mustangs.

Myles Davis was the lone Wolves’ batter with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs and a run. Kaden Frommelt had a double and an RBI for Marion. Payton Hodges earned the win with a strong outing on the mound. He threw a complete-game six-hitter.

In the nightcap, the Marion bats were more alive. Every starter had at least one hit and the Wolves tallied 13 total. Cael Hodges led the way with three hits. Jake Miller and Frommelt added two apiece. Frommelt had a team-high three RBIs, while Davis, Jake Trca and Jaqson Tejada each drove in two.

Trca is one of those leaders from last year’s team returning from an injury that sidelined him for most of the season, so the Wolves are showing signs of becoming healthier as the postseason approaches.

“It was good to have almost everyone back in the lineup,” said Marion Coach Steve Fish, noting that Senior Boede Rahe remains out of the lineup. “We are still nursing some injuries but the guys are playing through it.

“Indee was a good test, especially starting two young sophomores, Isaac Scott and Zach Houy on the mound. Just happy with the overall performance.”

Fish also received another honor. He was a finalist for National High School Athletics Coaches Association National Baseball Coach of the Year. Fish guided Marion to the 3A state title last season, finishing 37-6 overall. He has 782 career victories. Marion was 19-8 entering Monday’s Wamac Conference doubleheader against West Delaware.

Mount Vernon tops 2A No. 9 Anamosa

Mount Vernon claimed a win over a ranked foe last week, outscoring 2A No. 9 Anamosa, 8-4, on Friday at Ash Park Field. Julio Galvan had four hits and five RBIs to lead the Mustangs. Henry Ryan added two hits and scored twice. Jackson Jaspers also scored twice for the Mustangs.

Mason Hartman pitched three innings to get the win. Mount Vernon is 12-15 overall.

Lights out at Iowa City’s Mercer Park

The ranked matchup between 4A No. 2 Iowa City High and 3A No. 3 Western Dubuque was everything anticipated. The two Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division leaders split the twinbill. The Bobcats won the opener, 9-5, and City High won the nightcap, 6-2.

During Game 2, a bank of lights weren’t functioning. City High hustled to prepare an adjacent diamond. The final two innings were moved to the next diamond, so the game could completed. The very first at-bat on the new diamond was a solo home run by Western Dubuque’s Garrett Kadolph.

After the game, Bobcats Coach Casey Bryant thanked City High Athletics Director Phil Hansen for the quick work and making the adjustment so Western Dubuque didn’t have to reschedule and make the multi-hour trip down to Mercer Park again.

Games to watch this week

Tuesday: Lisbon (17-5) at 1A No. 5 Don Bosco (19-3) — The Lions received votes and the Dons are ranked fifth in the final poll by the IHSBCA. Lisbon was a state quarterfinalist last year. The Dons have been a regular at the state tournament in recent years. The game is a good barometer for the upcoming postseason.

Wednesday: 3A No. 5 Dubuque Wahlert (21-8) at 3A No. 4 Western Dubuque (23-6), at Farley Community Field — The MVC Mississippi Division could be determined here. The Bobcats started the week in first and are ranked fourth in 3A and 18-6 in MVC games. The Golden Eagles are ranked fifth in the same class and are 16-6 in the conference.

Friday: Iowa City Liberty (14-16) at Iowa City West (15-16) — The two programs have a special connection. Lightning Coach Tom Cronk was a longtime assistant for West Coach Charlie Stumpff. The two teamed together to coach the Trojans to the state finals. Whenever they get together good baseball ensues and they enter the week with similar records.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com