Prep baseball: Mediapolis’ Lance Ludens delivers a state tournament berth | The Hawk Eye – Burlington, Iowa

SOLON — At first glance, Lance Ludens looks like your typical high school student-athlete.

At 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, the Mediapolis High School senior doesn’t cut an imposing figure, although he is a well-rounded athlete in numerous sports.

But once Ludens steps inside the 18-foot diameter pitching circle, ball in hand on top of the mound, he turns into one of the fiercest competitors around.

Ludens has been at his absolute best in the postseason, helping Mediapolis reach the state tournament for the first time since 2015.

Fifth-ranked Mediapolis (27-2) will play fourth-ranked Unity Christian (26-9) in a Class 2A state quarterfinal game at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Merchants Park in Carroll.

The Bulldogs know every time Ludens toes the rubber, they have a good chance to win.

“Lance Ludens is a great leader. Central (College) is getting a good one next year. He’s a great pitcher statewide. Every team we play we throw Lance because he’s our best guy. And he can bat well. He’s got a good bat. He’s a great leader,” Mediapolis junior third baseman Will Luttenegger said.

“It’s a real confidence booster. He hits his spots. I have a lot of confidence when he’s out there. I can pretty much tell him where to throw the ball and he’ll put it right there,” Mediapolis senior catcher Payton Doty said. “It makes me a lot more comfortable. I know I don’t have many wild pitches. It makes it easier to throw kids out.”

Ludens has been at an elite level in the postseason. In the Bulldogs’ three wins — all shutouts — Ludens has pitched 19 2/3 innings, allowed six hits, walked none, hit two batters and struck out 20 batters.

For the season, Ludens is 11-0 with a 1.09 ERA. In 64 innings, he has allowed just 39 hits and 10 earned runs, walked seven and struck out 74. Opposing teams are hitting just .163 against him.

Ludens was at his absolute best in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over MFL MarMac in a substate final at Solon. Ludens scattered four hits, hit one batter and struck out nine.

“I’ve been wanting to do this since eighth grade. To finally come out and do it my senior year, it’s a great feeling,” Ludens said. “I know I can rely on my defense every time I’m on the mound. I just go up there with confidence, try to throw strikes and get the job done.”

MFL MarMac had runners on first and second with one out in the seventh inning. Ludens bore down, striking out Jason Wille for the second out, then inducing Tyce Winker to fly out to center fielder Kyler Crow to end the game.

“I’m just trying to stay calm. I’m not trying to freak out or do anything extra, like throw the ball too hard and throw it away,” Ludens said. “I’m confident in my defense that they can work behind me. I know if I can get them a ball in play, they can take care of it. They’ll get the out for me. I was a little worried, but just staying calm.”

Mediapolis coach Rick Whitaker pulled Ludens in favor of Max Griffin in district wins over West Liberty and Durant. There was no way he was taking Ludens out with a state tournament berth riding on his sturdy right arm.

“You can’t discount the fact that we’ve got a horse on the hill. Lance threw sixty-some pitches in seven innings. He pitches to contact and he’s hard to hit. He keeps them off-balance and hits corners,” Whitaker said. “We were going to ride him. I know his fastball probably was down a few miles an hour in that seventh inning. But he’s such a bulldog. You have to keep going with him. He doesn’t get nervous or distracted. He’s thrown so many innings through the years.”

The Bulldogs have complete faith when Ludens is on the mound. They play with confidence, knowing their ace will be firing BBs.

“He was dealing with the fastball, hitting his spots with the curve. He’s pretty much unhittable at this point,” Doty said.

“With Lance on the hill, anything can happen,” said Mediapolis junior center fielder Kyler Crow, who hit what proved to be the game-winning home run in the fourth inning. “We can beat the No. 1 team in the nation. We can do anything. It’s the most comfortable. He throws hard. He hits his spots. He’s a perfect pitcher. Central is lucky to have him.”

Ludens is right where he wants to be — at the state tournament, standing tall on the mound, ball in hand.

Ludens is ready to deliver the goods again.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Ludens said. “Ever since I was little I’ve loved baseball. I’ve always tried to put the work in to become the best I can. To make it this far is just a great feeling.”