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Lansing Kee’s state run ends in tight 2-0 quarterfinal loss to Martensdale-St. Marys
Blue Devils break through late with sixth-inning rally; Hawks' strong pitching and defense not enough in Class 1A showdown in Iowa high school state baseball tournament
Jul. 21, 2025 5:25 pm
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CARROLL – For more than 5 innings, Lansing Kee matched Martensdale-St. Marys stinginess.
But the Hawks just couldn’t conjure up that one timely key hit, while the Blue Devils managed to string a few hits late.
Fourth-seeded Martensdale-St. Marys scored twice in the bottom of the sixth and defeated No. 5 Kee, 2-0, in the Class 1A state baseball quarterfinals Monday at Merchants Park.
“We hate tipping our cap but their pitching was tough,” Kee Coach Jim Mauss said. “We knew going in it would be tough. We took a few chances when we were on the bases. We didn’t string enough hits together.
“I’m really proud of the pitching and defense. That’s what we’re known for but you’ve got to be a little better offensively and they (Blue Devils) got the job done in the sixth inning.”
The late rally included a leadoff single from Colton Wight, who scored on Travis White’s triple to center field. Jack Gavin added an RBI double.
The Hawks (32-11) opened the top of the seventh with a leadoff walk. The Blue Devils turned a double play on a liner to third and a sharp throw across the diamond to beat the runner back to first. A flyout ended it.
“We kept our heads high,” Kee senior Dalton Mudderman said. “We got out of jams all the way through the sixth inning.
“We had some hope with the leadoff batter on with a walk. Then, just a line drive that doubled the runner. Just a killer inning.”
White pitched a three-hitter with nine strikeouts in six innings for Martensdale-St. Marys. Taylon Squire worked the seventh for the save.
Jordan Cota, Carter Seitz and Brayden Darling each had a hit for Kee, which made its 21 st state appearance and first since 2021. Many of the seniors were eighth-graders on that team and then thrust into the lineup the following season without experience. They ended their careers back at state.
“They kind of just through us in there and we had to learn,” Seitz said. “We had to play like we loved the game, which we did. We had so much to learn. It helped us get here.”
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