Coe escapes in tourney

CEDAR RAPIDS - Coe took a 12-5 lead into the eighth inning Friday and just barely held off Buena Vista, 12-11, in the Iowa Conference baseball tournament at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

B.V. scored four runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth to put a scare into the second-seeded Kohawks.

With the score 12-11, no outs and a B.V. runner on base, Coe pitcher Drew Arends struck out pinch-hitter Eric Croghan, then got Ryan Scheetz to hit into a game-ending double play.

Coe had 17 hits, Buena Vista 14. Getting three hits apiece for the Kohawks were Scott DeAngelis, Tyler Leadley and Adam Nisenson. Nick Stein homered for Coe.

With a berth in the NCAA Division III tournament on the line, Coe plays in the first of two possible championship games today at 1 p.m. A second game, if necessary, is scheduled for 4 p.m.

 Friday

Luther 8, *Simpson 2

Coe 12, Buena Vista 11

Luther 7, *Central 6

Luther 11, *Wartburg 0

*Eliminated

 Saturday

(At Memorial Stadium)

Luther vs. B.V., 10 a.m.

Coe vs. above winner, 1 p.m.

Second title game if necessary, 4 p.m.