The Lynnville‑Sully baseball team moved one step closer to a state title after a commanding 11‑1 victory over Baxter in the Class 1A District 12 championship game. The win, played on a crisp evening in Iowa, lifted the Hawks to a 17‑9 record and secured their spot in the substate championship matchup against Burlington Notre Dame.
Offensive firepower
The Hawks’ bats were in full swing, with multiple players delivering multi‑hit performances. Carsen Kottenstette paced the offense with two hits, two runs, two RBIs and a stolen base, while Trace Carlson doubled, scored, drove in a run and drew a walk. Gavin Olea added a run and an RBI, and Ashton Rozendaal contributed a double and an RBI. Brody Borg’s triple helped spark a rally, and JD Richards stole a base while scoring twice.
Pitching dominance
On the mound, Connor Deal continued his unbeaten streak, tossing four innings without allowing an earned run. Deal yielded just one hit and three walks while striking out four batters, lowering his earned run average to 1.25 and improving to 8‑0 for the season. His performance kept Baxter’s lineup quiet and set the tone for the team’s overall dominance.
Baxter, despite a valiant effort, committed eight errors that proved costly. The Bolts, who were playing in their second straight district championship, finished the game with just one hit and a single run, underscoring the Hawks’ defensive precision and offensive efficiency.
Looking ahead
With the substate championship game on the horizon, the Hawks will need to maintain the momentum generated by their recent outing. Facing Burlington Notre Dame, a team that has been a consistent rival this season, will test the squad’s depth and resilience. Coach and players alike are focused on carrying the same disciplined approach that produced the decisive win over Baxter.