Iowa City Liberty baseball holds off upset bid by Regina

IOWA CITY — Two outs away from slaying the giant, Iowa City Regina couldn’t quite hang on. After being stymied for much of the night, Iowa City Liberty batted around in the top of the seventh to thwart the upset, defeating the Regals, 6-3, Wednesday night at Regina.

Using geography to their advantage, the Regals typically call on their larger neighbors to enhance their prep for the Class 2A postseason. After taking on Iowa City West earlier in the season, it was no coincidence that Liberty was placed on the schedule three days ahead of their district opener against West Burlington. Facing pitchers throwing a few ticks faster and offenses that hit a bit harder than much of their 2A competition has been beneficial for past Regina teams. At 13-13 entering the night, by going toe-to-toe with Liberty, the Regals may have found the jolt they have been searching for this season.

The Regals put runners on first and second with no outs during the first two innings, but finished with no runs to show for it. Loading the bases with no outs in the third, the Regals finally broke through on an RBI groundout from Declan McCoy.

Regina added another in the fourth.

Regina starter Danny Molony exited with two outs in the fourth. The Lightning got to Jack Tierney with a pair of runs in the fifth.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Regals looked to steal one from Class 4A Liberty. Tierney doubled into the right-center gap. Sean Nugent’s blooper fell just beyond the reach of Liberty third baseman Noah Kirk to put runners on first and third. With one out, Levi Quinlan ended a nine-pitch battle with a single up the middle, giving the Regals the lead.

Trailing 3-2 entering the final frame, the eighth and ninth spots in the order were due up for the Lightning (21-11). Tierney struck out Garret Roggy to begin the inning. Tierney then hit Evan Chandler.

For six innings, Regina did well in limiting Liberty base runners. When the Lightning did reach, they were stealing bases at will, Chandler quickly found his way to third. He scored on a wild pitch that walked Brody Fishman. Fishman stole his way to second. Kelan Secrist was hit by a pitch. Jack Funke drove in the go ahead run on a fielder’s choice.

Noah Kirk delivered the final blow, a two-run single to right-center.

The Regals had one last chance. A pair of Liberty errors helped Regina load the bases with two outs. Leadoff hitter Ethan VonHarz battled, but swung and missed at a full-count pitch to end the game.