(Underwood, IA) — 18 teams have won back-to-back state titles in Iowa High School baseball history since the IHSAA went to four classes in 1981, Underwood can be the 19th if they go 3-0 this week as the High School State Baseball Tournament start today.
Underwood will play their first round game tomorrow and is the top seed in Class 2A facing Cascade. Last season, the Eagles were not the favorites but a deep pitching staff and an dominating offense that hit .339 as a club survived an upset scare in the semifinals before beating Chariton 8-7 and then Jack Vanfossan threw 5 2/3 innings of no hit ball and Gus Bashore threw the final 2 plus innings for the save to beat New Hampton 5-1. Underwood Head Coach Andy Vanfossan says the team has had a tougher road this season
Johnston repeated as 4A champs in 2022 and 2023. Van Meter won four in a row from 2019 through 2022. Norway repeated as 1A champs three times. Davenport Assumption and Kee both repeated twice. Valley won four titles in a row from 2003-2006. Underwood can be put in the same breath with these legendary teams with three more wins and Vanfossan hopes the team appreciates the opportunity they have
Underwood is 24-2, the Cascade Cougars are 23-12, game time tomorrow is at 11 am from Carroll’s Merchants Park, coverage on KSOM.
