(Anita) For the third time in four years the CAM Cougars are champions of the Rolling Valley Conference in baseball. An 11-0 win over Boyer Valley on Monday coupled with a Coon Rapids-Bayard 3-2 loss to West Harrison sealed the deal for CAM.
Entering Tuesday’s game with Atlantic the Cougars had won nine in a row. During that span they scored at least 11 runs in all but one game. They’ve held five straight opponents to three runs or less including two shutouts in their last three games.
The team started the season at 10-1. Their only early loss was a one run game to Coon Rapids-Bayard. They lost back-to-back games to Lenox and Woodbine in mid-June at which point coach Dan Daugherty reminded the team they are still in control of their own destiny. “Everything is still in front of us. We just have to take care of ourselves.” From that point they averaged 13.7 runs per game over their next nine contests. “That was one of our goals, but that’s not the only one. We have a lot to shoot for yet.”
Colby Rich and Lane Spieker lead the offense. Following Monday’s win over Boyer Valley Rich was #1 in the state in both Home Runs with nine and RBI with 53. Spieker’s eight homers and 38 RBI put him in the top five statewide in each category. Rich has a .588 batting average while Spieker has an average of .500. Spieker has walked 25 times, scored 48 runs, and stolen 20 bases. They aren’t the only significant contributors. Joe Kauffman is hitting .493 with 24 RBI. Leadoff man Connor McKee bats .360 with 28 runs and 17 steals. Brody Paulsen has a .327 average. Cade Ticknor has a home run and 22 RBI.
The pitching has been terrific as well. Rich, Spieker, and Kauffman lead the attack. Their numbers are as follows: Lane Spieker 4-0 with a 2.76 ERA, 57 strikeouts and 16 walks in 33 innings. Colby Rich 5-0 with a 3.78 ERA, 32 strikeouts and 16 walks in 29 2/3 innings. Joe Kauffman 4-2 with a 2.17 ERA, 68 strikeouts and 25 walks in 29 innings. Kauffman’s 68 K’s are 5th most in Class 1A. Rich and Kauffman are each holding opponents to a batting average under .100 against them.
The Cougars are ranked #7 in Class 1A and have big plans for a deep postseason push. “We want to make a deep postseason run. We have the last four or five years and want to continue that.” We’ll have their game with Exira-EHK on the air for you on Wednesday. The game will also be available on our video stream at WesternIowaToday.com.
CAM coach Dan Daugherty:
