For the second consecutive season, the Le Mars Community baseball team had their season end in the postseason to an extra-inning walk-off as No. 4 Bishop Heelan beat the Bulldogs 9-8 in eight innings on Monday night in Sioux City.
The Bulldogs got in trouble early falling down 6-0 after two innings and allowing five Crusader runs to score in the first. Le Mars had an answer right away scoring three runs in the third inning to cut the deficit in half. Head coach Trent Eckstaine says the guys figured out they had a good chance to make some strong contact against Heelan’s pitcher.
Evan Pratt started the game on the mound, but the five-run first inning would mark the end of his night. In comes Ayden Hoag who had to work six relief innings allowing just three runs and striking out 10. Coach Eckstaine says he challenged Hoag to give him all he had, and he responded.
The Bulldogs went on to score three runs in the fourth inning to close the gap to 7-6. They would also score two runs in the fifth to give them the lead at 8-7. Coach Eckstaine says the guys were looking to challenge the Crusaders to make plays, and he says they did that well.
Le Mars will graduate eight seniors off this year’s team with many being starters for three years or more on the roster. Coach Eckstaine says those guys continued to learn how to play the game with winning in mind, and they did that well.
The Bulldogs will have some growing up to do next season with a lot of young faces asked to take over some big positions. Coach Eckstaine says he is hopeful for the group of guys next year who get to step up to be senior leaders to show the underclassmen what playing the game is all about.
The Bulldogs end their season with a record of 16-19. Bishop Heelan advances to the substate final where they will play Sergeant Bluff-Luton on Wednesday night with a trip to state on the line.
