The 2021 Iowa high school baseball Class 4A state championship game was replayed under bright summer lights, with Pleasant Valley edging Johnston 6-4 in a tightly contested rematch that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Guided by first‑year head coach Nathan Buckallew, the Dragons entered the tournament with a modest 3‑8 start but rallied to finish 22‑3, securing their 24th consecutive state tournament appearance and cementing their place among the state’s perennial contenders.
Key contributors such as Maxim Mincks and Mason Tell stepped up when it mattered most; Mincks, who entered in the fourth inning, shut down the Spartans' offense and later added a two‑run homer in the sixth, while Tell’s clutch hitting kept the rally alive.
Buckallew, a Johnston graduate, expressed pride in his squad’s perseverance, noting that the experience gained will be invaluable as the team prepares for next season and the challenges that lie ahead.
Looking Ahead
With 16 players set to return and 13 seniors departing, the Dragons are poised to build on this momentum, aiming to translate their late‑season surge into a championship run. The depth of talent was evident as teammates — Dawson Dales, Trevin Helming, Sam Kinney, Kaleb Kosman, Owen Hupfer, Logan Rector, Ahvyance Taylor, Will Davies, Derek Stecklein, Patrick O’Brien, and Lincoln Dalton — provided steady support, ensuring the Dragons never lost momentum.