The Indianola baseball squad captured its first-ever state championship on Saturday, edging Pleasant Valley 9-6 in the Class 4A State Tournament final. The win marks a historic milestone for a program that entered the championship with a stellar 35-4 record.
The contest exploded out of the gate, with Indianola plating two runs in the opening inning thanks to RBI singles from Dallas Harlan and Bryant Ritchie. That early burst set the tone for a game that would swing back and forth with every at‑bat.
Momentum swung again in the second when Zach Benge launched a decisive double that brought home two more runs, hinting at the offensive firepower to come. The early lead gave the team confidence, but the Spartans were far from finished.
The sixth‑inning showdown
The sixth inning proved to be the turning point; a wild pitch allowed Harlan to score, pushing the margin to 8-2, only for the Spartans to rally with a bases‑clearing double by Dawson Bales that cut the deficit dramatically. The comeback threatened to rewrite the narrative, but Indianola’s composure held firm.
Jacob Orey entered in relief and struck out a key batter to halt the surge, and Benge followed with a home run that put Indianola ahead 9-6. Orey stayed in the circle to finish the seventh, sealing the victory and cementing the team's historic finish.
The win caps a 35‑4 season and marks a milestone for the program. Players such as Benge, Merema, Orey, Harlan, Ritchie and Bales were instrumental, but it was the collective effort that turned a promising campaign into a championship story.