What a whirlwind of a week it’s been! We officially wrapped up our regular season and immediately dove headfirst into the postseason. I also learned that I’m a 1 of 10 semifinalists for Mr. IaBaseball for class 4A.

Finishing Strong

We kicked things off by closing out the regular season against Ottumwa. My goal for that outing was pretty simple: get on the mound, stay sharp, and be ready for whatever came next. I threw two solid innings, and I felt great out there. No hits, no runs, and 3 strikeouts! Those K’s were extra special because they pushed me to the top, giving me the most total strikeouts in the CIML for the season among all pitchers. It felt good to finish the regular season on such a high note.

Playoff Baseball Under the Lights

Then came the postseason. Our first game was against Norwalk, and there was a bit of a curveball right away. We got rained out on Friday night, so we had to play on Saturday evening instead. Honestly, it just added to the anticipation! It was a fantastic atmosphere at the athletic complex on Saturday; our #3 softball team also had a home game, so the place was packed and buzzing with energy.

I got the ball for our playoff opener, and I was absolutely ready. I ended up throwing a complete game shutout as we took home a dominant 10-0 victory! I gave up just 1 hit the entire game, which was on a hanging changeup in the second inning. I felt in control from start to finish, racking up 8 strikeouts with no walks.

Our defense behind me was absolutely lights out – seriously, they were rock solid all game, making every play. And our offense? They were relentless! We chipped away early, scoring three runs through the first three innings, constantly putting pressure on their pitchers. Then, in the fifth, we exploded for six runs, really blowing the game open. We added one more in the sixth to seal the deal. It was a true team effort, and it felt amazing to get that first playoff win under our belts.

Ready for What’s Next

Playoffs are a different beast. There’s definitely more stress because you know one loss and you’re done, but I truly believe we have a special and incredibly talented team. We’ve worked hard all season, and I’m confident we’re ready to be our best when it matters most.

Our next substate games are coming up fast: Monday, and then Wednesday if we win. I’m eligible to pitch again on Wednesday, and you can bet I’ll be on top of my recovery to be completely ready if the coaches call my number again. This team is hungry, and we’re just getting started!