K.J. Pilcher

Hunter Clark provided a gem on the mound, Luke Czarnecki drove in three runs and the No. 9 Lions advanced with a decisive 5-0 victory over No. 8 Burlington Notre Dame in a Class 1A state baseball quarterfinal game Monday at Merchants Park.

Early miscues helped Kingsley-Pierson post a five-run first inning. The Panthers made it hold up, beating South Winneshiek, 6-1, in a Class 1A state baseball tournament quarterfinal game Monday at Merchants Park in Carroll.

The Iowa high school state baseball tournament descends on Iowa City (4A and 3A) and Carroll (2A and 1A) this week. Nine Gazette area teams have qualified in the four classes. Here is a glance at the qualifying teams.

Class 1A No. 9 Lisbon is powered by a senior class that has played together since T-ball. The Lions are making their third straight state baseball tournament appearance, which is a first for the program.

Marion’s Kaden Frommelt has been a catcher for most of his baseball career. Injuries made it necessary for him to take the mound this season. He delivered for the Wolves, improving to 5-0 after a complete game substate final win over Cedar Rapids Xavier.

Dyersville Beckman starter Nate Offerman said he has been comfortable on the mound all season. He was confident and competitive, too. He tossed a complete game in an 8-2 substate final victory over Anamosa.

Cedar Rapids Xavier started the baseball season ranked No. 3 in Class 3A. Inconsistencies and a tough schedule left the Saints at 16-19 before two dominant substate wins put them a win away from the state tournament.

Iowa has released the eight Big Ten Conference dual opponents for the 2023-24 men’s college wrestling season. The Hawkeyes were 15-1 overall and 7-1 in the conference last season.

Iowa City Liberty has made big strides from the start of the season. The Lightning played strong defense, received a solid outing from four pitchers and scratched out enough runs in a 3-2 victory over Davenport Central to return to a substate final.

Unity and camaraderie have played a part in North Linn’s success this year, ending the regular season ranked sixth and reaching Tuesday’s Class 1A substate finals.

Iowa high school baseball takeaways: GMG has been the Cinderella story, winning a district title despite an 11-14 record. Williamsburg has overcome midseason woes to reach the substate final for the first time since 2015. MFL MarMac rallied to beat New Hampton. Dubuque County rivals are a win from state returns.

The Gazette’s 2023 Male Athlete of the Year is Ben Kueter of Iowa City High. He was a two-time all-state linebacker in football, a four-time unbeaten state wrestling champion, a Drake Relays medalist and a member of two state tournament baseball teams.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s potent offense scored six runs on eight hits in the final three innings. Trevor Scott’s two-run single in the fifth gave the Cougars the lead for good in a 7-4 victory over the River Kings.

Here’s a look at five noteworthy games involving Gazette area teams as the Iowa high school baseball postseason begins for Class 4A and 3A teams Friday night.

Lisbon’s Hunter Clark serves as his toughest critic. He wasn’t satisfied with his performance but he powered Lisbon to a 7-3 win over Belle Plaine in a district semifinal, striking out 10 in six innings.