The West Delaware Hawks baseball team pulled off a stunning upset on Tuesday night, defeating the top‑ranked Dubuque Wahlert Catholic 5‑3 in a Class 3A showdown.
In front of a packed crowd of 1,400 fans, the Hawks turned a modest 9‑16 record into a statement win that will be remembered for weeks.
Key performances
Freshman left‑hander Wes Waterhouse dominated the mound, scattering six hits while walking three, hitting one batter and striking out one. His effort left seven Golden Eagles on base, underscoring the pressure he exerted on Wahlert’s lineup.
Junior reliever Ethan Sellers entered in the later innings and sealed the victory with a save, preserving the Hawks’ lead through the final frames.
The win marks a rare highlight in a season that has otherwise been a struggle for West Delaware, but it also signals that the team is peaking at the right time.
Other action across the state saw several split results and upsets. Independence and Beckman Catholic each posted victories, while Cascade routed Mount Vernon 12‑1 in just five innings. Ed‑Co continued its dominance, sweeping North Cedar with 15‑1 and 13‑0 scores.
Meanwhile, West Delaware’s recent setback came at the hands of Grinnell, who swept the Hawks in a doubleheader, 6‑1 and 8‑0, dropping the team further in the rankings.
Despite the loss, the Hawks remain focused, with coach Jon Swisher praising the resilience of his squad and the contributions of his young pitchers.
The team now looks to build on the momentum generated by Waterhouse and Sellers as they prepare for the next stretch of games, hoping to translate this upset into a sustained run of success.