The Blue Demons knew they would have their hands full Tuesday night as they traveled to face the top-ranked team in Class 2A and defending state champion Pleasantville in the Class 2A Substate Final. The Trojans had proven throughout the season they were one of Iowa’s elite programs, not only dominating Class 2A but also collecting wins over some of the state’s best teams regardless of classification.
For the first two innings, Albia showed it belonged on the same field. The Blue Demons made solid contact against one of Iowa’s top pitchers in the opening inning, but every ball found a glove as Pleasantville retired the side in order. Junior Isaac Helm matched the Trojans in the bottom half, needing just three outs with the help of a strong defensive effort to keep the game scoreless.
Albia again put the ball in play in the second inning but couldn’t break through offensively. Pleasantville capitalized on its first opportunity in the bottom of the frame after consecutive free baserunners via a walk and an error put runners aboard. A single gave the Trojans a 1-0 lead, and after Helm recorded a strikeout, an infield single pushed across another run before a groundout ended the inning with Pleasantville leading 2-0.
The Blue Demons’ first baserunner came in the top of the third when sophomore catcher Emmett Fisher reached on an error, but the Trojans stranded him and carried their two-run advantage into the bottom half.
That’s when the defending champions showed why they have spent the season atop the Class 2A rankings.
Pleasantville sent 20 batters to the plate in the inning, collecting all five of its hits in the game while also taking advantage of 10 additional baserunners through walks, hit batters and an error. The Trojans erupted for 13 runs to stretch the lead to 15-0.
Albia mounted one final threat in the top of the fourth. Bryson Reed was hit by a pitch before Connor McFall singled to put runners on first and third with nobody out. Pleasantville’s ace responded by striking out the next three hitters to end the game by the 15-run rule and send the Trojans back to the Iowa State Baseball Tournament.
McFall accounted for Albia’s lone hit of the night with a fourth-inning single, while Fisher reached base on an error. Reed also reached after being hit by a pitch as the Blue Demons put two runners aboard in their final at-bat.
Helm started on the mound, allowing two hits while striking out two over two innings before the Trojans broke the game open in the third. McFall and Carson Sohn finished the inning in relief.
While the season ended one game shy of the state tournament, the Blue Demons closed the year with a 14-20 record and an impressive 3-1 postseason run. After entering the district tournament as an underdog, Albia put together three straight playoff victories to capture the district championship and advance to the substate final, where its season came to an end against the defending state champions. The program says goodbye to five seniors, four of whom have played considerable innings since they were freshmen, Carson Sohn, Connor McFall, Drake Irwin, Jaxon Strickler, and Zak Kelley. Coach Brad DeMoss said these guys have left the program better than they found it, and was proud of their leadership this season as they had to bring along a batch of young guys who will be looking to make big impacts next season.