CENTRAL LEE, IA (WGEM) – Postseason play is right around the corner for area Iowa high school baseball teams, and Central Lee believes it has the momentum to make a run.
The Hawks enter the playoffs on a nine-game winning streak, and confidence inside the program is high.
“We’ve got kids with all the talent in the world out here,” freshman Kellen Weber said. “If everyone’s on their game — I don’t want to sound arrogant — but if everyone’s on their game, I think we could beat any team in the state.”
Head coach Shane Weirather said the team’s focus is on controlling what it can.
“Whoever we see, it’s all about us,” Weirather said. “If we play a good game, then we’re going to win no matter who we play. So it’s just the little things — tweak the baserunning a little bit, have better at-bats, and just trying to get better here this last week.”
Central Lee is leaning on its upperclassmen heading into the postseason, with younger players also filling key roles after last year’s graduation losses.
“We lost a lot of great seniors last year — we lost five starters — so just being able to step in and do whatever job is needed,” Weber said. “Whether that’s driving in runs, getting on base at the start of an inning, being behind the plate, in the field — just trying to play clean baseball, play our brand of baseball.”
Junior Blake Davis is among the team leaders, emphasizing consistency and support.
“I just tell them, never get too up, never get too down — just stay right here,” Davis said. “And if they ever get down, I’m there to support them, and everybody else here is, too.”
As for what the Hawks want to change in the playoffs, players said the goal is simple: keep doing what has worked.
“I really hope we can just keep that rolling through playoffs and everyone keeps their head up and plays team ball,” Weber said. “I think we have a chance to make a deep run.”
Central Lee will face either Davis County or Pella Christian in the district semifinal.
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