The Pleasantville baseball team fought back from an early 2-0 deficit to beat Cascade 8-5 in the Class 2A state semifinals at Merchants Park in Carroll, Iowa. The win, broadcast live on 95.3 KNIA, propels the Trojans into the championship game against Durant.
A Title Game With Destiny
Pleasantville’s offense erupted in the bottom of the first, plating three runs to flip the scoreboard, and added three more in the fourth before extending the lead with two runs in the fifth. The Trojans finished with an 8-2 advantage before Cascade rallied with three runs in the seventh to narrow the gap.
Easton Cox anchored the pitching staff, delivering six innings that yielded seven hits, two runs and three strikeouts while throwing 99 pitches. Cox trusted his defense and believed the bats would provide the necessary support, a confidence that proved justified as the team secured the win.
Key contributors included Caylor Jones and Braylon Bingham, who sealed the victory in the seventh, while Noah Rist and Will Mesecher each collected two hits. The Trojans out-hit Cascade 11-10, underscoring a tightly contested battle.
The championship matchup is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 2:15 p.m. on 95.3 KNIA. Fans can tune in to hear the live broadcast of the state title game.