A Season Defined by Dominance
The Roland‑Story High School baseball squad is cruising through an extraordinary campaign, posting a 21‑1 record and riding a wave of momentum after sweeping a doubleheader against Nevada with 16‑1 and 17‑1 victories.
Coach Chris Hill has built an offense that averages more than ten runs per game, topping the Class 2A leaderboard in hits, RBIs and walks. Senior standout Georgius leads the lineup with a .452 average, while junior Aiden Frey, known for his backflip pregame ritual and double‑sock habit, contributes a .409 average, and Jake Knoll adds a solid .321.
The pitching staff has been equally impressive, posting a 2.99 ERA. A deep rotation featuring Cael Faber, Colin Willis, Braden Wallace, Gavin Jeter, Hunter Hill, Gavin Griffith, Wyatt Ramus, Ryan Kepley and Derek Acevedo has helped keep the number low, with veterans Willis and Reese Blaisdell finishing the season unbeaten at 4‑0.
Conference Title Race Heats Up
Upcoming fixtures promise more drama. The team faces a showdown with 2A No. 7 Grundy Center, followed by doubleheaders against 3A rival Gilbert and 1A No. 4 Newman Catholic. A rematch with Saydel looms as the pivotal battle for the Heart of Iowa Conference title, a contest that could determine seeding for the state tournament.
Beyond conference play, the squad eyes a milestone: surpassing the 30‑win mark they reached in 2021 and securing a berth in the state tournament for the first time since 2015, a goal that has the entire roster — from Georgius to Derek Acevedo — focused on the finish line.