(Guthrie Center) ACGC has made big progress over the past couple of summers and the work they’ve put in is paying off with a trip to the Class 2A District 4 title game. The Chargers will oppose #2 Van Meter on Saturday night. The winner advances to a substate contest next week against either Pocahontas Area or Alta/Aurelia.
ACGC advanced to the District Finals with a 5-0 win over Woodward-Granger on Tuesday. Brock Littler threw a one hitter. Head coach Taylor Morris says, “Brock Littler was huge for us.” He walked five and struck out one. “The defense played really well behind him, it was just a complete team effort.” Prior to that they defeated South Central Calhoun 11-1. The team is 13-23 on the season.
Coach Morris on his team’s development over the past few seasons. “A huge step for our program. My first year here, two years ago, we were the six seed and were the worst team by far in our district. Last year we were the 4th seed and won a postseason game. This year we were the three seed and got to host. Obviously going on and winning the next round and getting to a District Final is something that is huge for our guys. I want nothing more than for our guys to keep on with this success.”
Now they’ll face a 26-7 Van Meter squad that has plenty of big game experience the past handful of years. These teams split in the regular season. In a doubleheader on June 24th Van Meter won game one 7-0, but ACGC won game two 2-0. “They are going to be ready to get back at us.” Morris says, “Our guys are gong to be ready to go and like I told them, there’s no pressure on us. If we go out and play our best game and come out on top that’s great. If we come out and play our best and Van Meter comes out on top then we did what we could.”
Van Meter has been to state for four consecutive seasons and has won back-to-back state championships.
ACGC coach Taylor Morris:
