Sports

Defending state champs down AGWSR in Class 1A district final

Published by editor on Tue, 07/21/2020 - 10:34am

MASON CITY – It was hard for AGWSR coach Dave Showalter to compose himself, having given senior Brody Roder a big bearhug after his Cougars fell to Class 1A No. 6 Mason City Newman at the Knights’ field on Saturday, July 18.

The three-time defending state champions shut out his team, 6-0, in the Class 1A District 3 final.

“I’ve been with these guys for four years now,” Showalter said, “as long as they left the program in a better place, that’s all I can ask.

Comeback Cougars rally again

Published by editor on Tue, 07/21/2020 - 10:26am

ACKLEY – Taylor Sperfslage knew the AGWSR softball team had been here before.

The Cougars have had to come back from significant deficits in games earlier this summer, and faced another one in Friday’s regional semifinal against Janesville.

The Wildcats built a 10-4 lead in the fourth inning.

“I don’t think we were too nervous,” Sperfslage said. “We were just looking for base hits.”

Bulldogs bow out to No. 9 Boone

Published by editor on Tue, 07/21/2020 - 10:24am

BOONE – A promising start quickly wilted in the summer heat as the Bulldog baseball team ended a COVID-19 shortened season with an 8-1 loss to Class 3A No. 9 Boone on Friday, July 17.

Coach Matt Lokenvitz’s team jumped on the Toreadors for a run in the first inning and after that it was all Boone as Hampton-Dumont bowed out at 6-10.

The Bulldogs went with freshman Brayden Johnson who gave up all eight runs, five of which were earned. He appeared a bit nervous before play started.

Cougars conquer Comets on Sicard shutout

Published by editor on Tue, 07/21/2020 - 10:21am

ACKLEY – AGWSR’s pitching staff is putting in extra work behind the scenes.

Cougars co-head coach Scott O’Brien has been working with Rachel Sicard and Ali Gerbracht to make sure the two relatively inexperienced pitchers can get as many reps in while preparing for Wednesday’s regional opener.

“We had practice the other day at eight o’clock at night,” Sicard said, “and Ali and I were able to get some good bullpens.”

The extra pitching clearly helped in the Cougars’ 2-0 regional quarterfinal win against BCLUW in Ackley.

Cougars scratch out district victory

Published by editor on Wed, 07/15/2020 - 9:34am

SHEFFIELD – A long Saturday turned into an early Sunday morning, but everything was worth it for AGWSR, who pulled out the 4-1 Class 1A District 2 first round game against West Fork ending on Sunday, July 12 at Sheffield.

The game ended with a bang, as the Warhawks had the bases loaded with no outs, but a short fly to left and then a fly to right that ended with a double play at the plate put the finishing touches on an eight-hours-plus saga.

Bulldog softball season abruptly halted

Published by editor on Wed, 07/15/2020 - 9:31am

HAMPTON – Shortly before the Bulldog softball team was to take on Class 1A No. 9 AGWSR, a positive COVID-19 test was received, effectively shutting down the remainder of the 2020 season for coach Kelsey Enslin’s team.

“Obviously, it took us all by surprise and it was a very abrupt end to a season that almost wasn’t,” Enslin said. “It is a really off feeling to have the season end and have it not come at the conclusion of a game. It was especially challenging because I didn’t have the opportunity to address any of the girls about the situation or about softball.

West Fork rallies from early deficit to top Forest City; send seniors off right

Published by editor on Wed, 07/15/2020 - 9:28am

SHEFFIELD – West Fork co-coaches Mary Schulz and Sadie Winfrey both admit trailing 8-1 after one and half innings was a bit dubious, but also knew the game was far from over.

They were right.

The Warhawks sent their seniors off right with a 14-9 come-from-behind victory over cross-divisional Top of Iowa Conference foe Forest City on Tuesday, July 7.

“You know, in the back of my mind I thought, ‘these girls don’t quit,’” Schulz said. “That is what they’ve done all year long. They have been good about coming back, so I was a little nervous.”

West Fork shuts down North Butler

Published by editor on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 9:24am

ALLISON – West Fork coach Tom Shreckengost has a lot to feel good about.

He had his ace going against North Butler in a 14-0, six-inning shutout of the Bearcats while on the road in this Wednesday, July 1 Top of Iowa East Conference game.

Kellen Cameron struck out four and scattered four hits, getting a lot of help from his defense in improving to 5-4 overall, 4-2 in the TIC East.

Bearcats patience rolls by Warhawks

Published by editor on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 9:22am

ALLISON – North Butler used its discipline at the plate to earn nine walks off of West Fork starter Rachael Hubka and reliever Delaney Christianson in a 12-2, five-inning Top of Iowa Conference victory over the Warhawks on Wednesday, July 1.

Surprisingly, the Warhawks out-hit the Bearcats, but errors and aggressive base running had the home team with the distinct advantage.

Cougar baseball enjoying the ride

Published by editor on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 9:18am

ACKLEY – It’s all happening so fast.

Luke Starr went from doing no pitching during the COVID-19 shutdown to putting in the work with complete games this summer.

“The arms are sore, but it’s still fun,” Starr said.

On AGWSR’s Senior Night, the ace pitcher put together another gem, striking out 13 in a shutout of South Hardin on June 29, with the Cougars victorious by a 7-0 margin.

Now the Cougars are off to a 6-1 start to the COVID-shortened season, while already making their postseason plans.

Where did the time go?

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