A Season of Growth and Promise
The West Fork Warhawk baseball team saw its 2026 campaign conclude with a 12‑9 loss to the Belmond‑Klemme Broncos in the opening round of substate play, ending a season that delivered both flashes of brilliance and valuable learning experiences.
Earlier in the schedule the Warhawks turned a challenging 7‑13 slate into a surge of momentum, highlighted by a 16‑6 victory over the Osage Green Devils on June 29 that lifted their record to 8‑13. Wyatt Bonnema’s solo homer and four driven‑in runs anchored the offense, while right‑hander Zayne Grady delivered a solid four‑inning outing, striking out four batters.
The team also posted a 10‑6 win against the Nashua‑Plainfield Huskies, a game that capped the regular season and showcased Andrew Baker’s three‑hit, three‑RBI performance. A subsequent 9‑6 defeat at the hands of North Butler added a final chapter, with Baker again contributing three RBIs despite the loss.
In the substate opener, Braden Kuhlemeier took the mound for West Fork, surrendering seven runs over three innings, but the Warhawks kept the game within reach until the final innings. Despite the 12‑9 final margin, the team finished the year with a 7‑14 record, leaving a foundation of talent that includes standouts such as Wyatt Bonnema, Andrew Baker, Braden Kuhlemeier, Zayne Grady, Zander Hansen and Ayden Bonner.
Coach and players alike reflected on the season as a stepping stone, emphasizing the importance of experience for a squad that will return many of its key contributors next spring. The Warhawks’ journey, marked by late‑season wins and competitive games, underscores the program’s upward trajectory in Iowa high school baseball.