E-Hawks top Cardinals to move on in post-season action

It’s that time of the season where whichever team plays the best baseball will succeed.  Unfortunately for the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura baseball team, that team was Emmetsburg (16-14).  The E-Hawks topped the Cardinals on Tuesday, July 12, in a Class 2A District 3 game played in Clear Lake.

“Coming off a good week of preparation, we went into the game confident,” said Coach Shawn Schlechter.  “With a bye in the first round, we had some time to rest some arms and get a good amount of work in.”

Emmetsburg took an early lead in the first inning, scoring two runs on a groundout and an RBI triple.  The E-Hawks tallied two more runs in the fourth before GHV got on the board.  A sacrifice fly by Alek Goll closed the gap, 4-1.  Emmetsburg tacked on another two runs in the seventh.  An RBI single by Payton James in the bottom of the seventh sparked some life into the Cardinals, but that was where it ended, as GHV fell, 6-2.

The Cardinals had a tough time with Emmetsburg’s pitcher, Dillion Van Oosbree, who gave up just six hits and four walks.  He struck out two.  Van Oosbree was also key to the E-Hawks on offense.

“You have to give their pitcher credit, he kept our lineup in check and threw a great game.  On top of that, he came up with timely hits for them,” said Schlechter.

Cade Baker led the Cardinal defense with two hits.  Connecting on one hit apiece was Colton Schroeder, Nick Joynt, Harley Forry and Payton James.  Goll and James each had an RBI.  Scoring GHV’s two runs was Forry and James.

Payton James pitched five innings for the Cards, while Ryan Meyers came in and pitched the final two innings.  James gave up seven hits, walked three and struck-out seven.  Meyers gave up three hits, walked one and struck out four.

“Payton gave us a solid start.  He did what he did all year for us, which was limit big innings by pounding the strike zone and letting our defense work,” said Schlechter.

The Cardinals ended a successful season under Schlechter, who was in his first year at the helm.  GHV ended the season as Top of Iowa-West Conference leaders and an 18-12 record.

“I am proud of how our team progressed throughout the year and how they competed all season long.  The players deserve a ton of credit for their hard work, commitment, and for trusting the process,” said Schlechter.  “The community support was great and it is good to see baseball relevant in the community again.  I am happy with the direction that the program is heading.”