From baseball caps to mortarboards: Iowa City West beats Solon, then prepares for commencement ceremonies

SOLON - Iowa City West seniors had a busy day.

The Trojans started Saturday with a rare morning first pitch against Solon, transitioning to commencement ceremonies in the evening.

Bookend notable events and a perfect day for some. Baseball and graduation.

“Nowhere else I’d rather be than out here with these guys,” West senior third baseman Ryne Vander Leest said. “It’s just a blast.

“I have family in town, too, so it just makes it even better. It’s a fun experience, for sure.”

The Trojans rallied with six runs in the final two innings and defeated Solon, 11-9, in a non-conference game at Solon Recreation and Nature Area. The win also moved West to a 7-6 mark, the first time above .500 this season.

“It’s not pretty,” West Coach Charlie Stumpff said. “If you’re going to be out here for 2 hours, 30 minutes, to come out on the right side makes it a more tolerable bus ride back.”

Vander Leest is one of 10 seniors on the Trojans roster. Camaraderie and unity has boosted the group in a sport of unavoidable failure. it’s only fitting they spend the special day together, going from diamonds to diplomas.

“It’s a unique atmosphere,” Vander Leest said. “We know each other so well. We’re all very loose every time we come out here.”

West trailed, 7-5, beginning the sixth inning. Two walks and two hit batsmen forced in a run. Vander Leest followed with a sacrifice fly to left that plated Sanket Deshpande and tied the game.

The Trojans were down to their last out in the seventh when they capitalized on miscues, taking an 11-7 lead. Luke Ernst reached on an error to spark the rally. Deshpande walked and senior Jacob Baum loaded the bases with a single.

Seniors Ben Hoefer was hit by a pitch to bring in a run and senior Carter Freidhof reached on an error that scored two. Vander Leest’s infield single capped the scoring.

“I would say we’re tough,” Vander Leest said. “You’re going to fail at some point in the game. It’s what you do with that, whether you come back the next time or let it derail you. We have a group of guys that are able to bounce back and get ready to go for the next one.

“I’m really proud of the win today.”

Vander Leest led the way ‘with three RBIs and had two hits. The Trojans produced a balanced effort with nine players scoring runs and each starter reaching base at least once.

“We have to,” Stumpff said about the team contribution. “Some days everybody has to do it. Our team average has gone way up. They’re all having a little confidence.”

“Baum and Hoefer, at the bottom (of the batting order), had big contributions on things. We have to have that.”

Solon (7-7) matched West with a four-run first, getting a leadoff single from Blake Timmons, who scored on a Nolan Seagren sacrifice fly. Jackson Link and Tyson Wheeler added RBI singles in the frame.

The Spartans took the lead in the fourth. Vince Steinbrech opened with a single, Dylan Gorham added an RBI and Timmons had an RBI double for a 7-5 advantage.

Timmons paced the Spartans with three hits, including two doubles and three runs. Steinbrech had two hits and an RBI, while Brett White walked and scored twice for Solon.