One team, one dream and one step closer

LISBON — One team with one dream.

The phrase is more than just a catchy slogan for a banner to hang on the dugout. It serves as mantra for the Lisbon baseball team.

The Lions took an impressive first step to their goal of the state tournament, ripping Springville, 14-0, in five innings in an Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 1A District 8 first-round game Tuesday night at Lisbon City Park.

'We have to take this tournament one game at a time,' Lisbon senior Ryan Kortemeyer said. 'I feel maybe the last couple of years we've looked over teams that we played and that's why we haven't gone as far as we wanted.

'We're on a mission. We want to keep winning games and make the state tournament. Our goal now is to win on Thursday.'

This team has played together for about 10 years, dating back to youth USSSA teams. The third-ranked Lions are a tight-knit group that enjoy taking the field together and are confident in one another.

'We know each other really well,' said Colton Krob, who pitched four shutout innings to improve to 6-1. 'You feel more comfortable with you teammates. We know they can make plays.'

Lisbon's offense increased its run production to more than 11 runs a game, smacking 14 hits. The Lions jumped on the Orioles immediately, getting hits from its first three batters in a six-run first.

All nine starters had at least one hit, including three from Kortemeyer and two from Ryan Schrantz. Krob scored three times and Keegan Tritle had three RBIs.

'In my years, this is the most solid team we've had up and down the lineup,' Kortemeyer said. 'You can count on just about anyone to get a solid base hit.

'We do feed off each other. Seeing other kids get hits, drive in runs and run the bases is fun.'

Kortemeyer had a two-run single in the first and added a two-run triple in Lisbon's four-run fourth. He took advantage of a defensive shift that left the right field line wide open and drove the ball the opposite way.

'I feel like I am a much stronger hitter this year than years past,' said Kortemeyer, who scored twice. 'You have to get lucky where the ball lands sometimes.'

Krob was solid on the mound, allowing just two hits, before Ryley Scott shut down Springville in the fifth. Krob struck out five, spotting his fastball and throwing his curveball for strikes.

'I tried to work them low and out,' Krob said. 'It seemed to work.'

Springville (3-30) received a base hit from Blake Jordan and a double from relief pitcher Andy Hagensick.

Now, Lisbon reaches the same round they suffered a disappointing upset in last year. It has remained a motivating factor. They don't plan to make the same mistake, taking on Midland (16-14).

'They are going to come and play hard,' Kortemeyer said. 'They know what we're going to throw at them. We know what they are going to throw at us. We have to play hard baseball.'

MIDLAND 3, CEDAR VALLEY CHRISTIAN 2

Austin Smith delivered a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the seventh, lifting the Eagles to the one-run district-opening win.

Smith scored Midland's first run an inning earlier. He reached after being hit by a pitch to lead off the sixth, stealing second. Fisher Bisinger's groundout with one down chased home Smith, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Midland (16-14) advances to Thursday's district semifinal against host Lisbon.

Colin Heeren sparked Cedar Valley Christian in the fifth, leading off with a triple and scoring on an errant throw off Eric Gustafson's ground ball.

The Huskies capped their best season since starting up the program in 2012, finishing 7-19.

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