(Underwood, IA) — They say that its hard to beat the same team three times in a season but Underwood went against “they” and beat Treynor 7-1 on Saturday to win the District title and advance to the Class 2A Substate finals.
Blake Brensel was the surprise starter for Underwood and the freshman did not allow a hit for the first three innings and Garrett Luett shut the door on the Cardinals the rest of the way.
Cardinals starter Ethan Hill struggled with his control early and often — he walked the first two batters he faced but got a strike out and ground out. However, with Nick Hackett at the plate, Hill threw a wild pitch to score Hudson Ross and then Hackett hit a grounder that was bobbled for an error to plate Luett and the Eagles had a 2-0 lead.
Treynor got their only run in the top of the 3rd when Brensel gave up a 1 out walk to Colton Lane, a wild pitch moved him to 2nd, a bunt moved him to third and another wild pitch scored him to make it 2-1.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Hill hit the leadoff man Ryker Adair. Gavin Miles bunted him to 2nd. After Hackett popped out, Easton Robertson hit a grounder to first and Hill had to cover the bag for the out and with his back to home plate, Adair took off around third and beat the throw for a run. With Connor Brummett at the plate, Hill threw another wild pitch moving Robertson to 2nd base. Robertson felt like they forgot about him so he stole 3rd and the throw went into left field so he scored on the error to make it 4-1 Underwood.
The Eagles got another run in the 4th on a RBI single from Adair. Hill left the game after 4 innings and allowed 5 runs, 3 earned on 2 hits but he walked 6, hit 2 batters, threw 3 wild pitches and struck out 2.
Luett came in for Brensel in the top of the 4th and retired the first 7 batters he faced. Dylan Dreyer got a 1 out single in the 6th but the Eagles turned a double play to end the inning.
Underwood got some insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th with a leadoff double from Luett, a RBI single by Adair and a RBI grounder from Hackett to make it 7-1.
Treynor got leadoff singles from Brody Larson and Angel Emge in the top of the 7th but Luett struck out the side to earn the save and the defending 2A state champions advanced to the Substate final where they will face conference rival Tri Center on Tuesday night, coverage on KSOM.
Adair went 2-3 with 2 runs and 2 RBI to lead the Eagles.
Luett pitched 4 innings and allowed 3 hits and struck out 8 for the save. Underwood got the leadoff hitter on base in every single inning.
Line Score
Treynor (14-12) — 1 run, 3 hits, 4 errors, 3 LOB
Underwood (23-2) — 7 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 9 LOB
W: Brensel (4-2)
L: Hill (5-5)
Save: Luett 1
Time: 1:45
