Summer in Dallas Center has come to be synonymous with big swings, and this year looks to be no different. But before they take all the spotlight, there’s one more thing to finish on the pitch for the girls soccer team. (Events covered May 27-June 1)
Baseball (6-2)
The Mustangs poured it on heavy against Oskaloosa on Monday, thrashing the conference rivals 19-4 in the first half of a doubleheader, followed by a more muted 5-2 win.
But the 19 runs in Game 1 were a notable achievement, with DCG putting up 10 runs in the first inning alone, running through the batting order. It’s already the third game the team has hit at least 10 runs and passed last year’s season high 15 runs.
In eight games logged, Taitn Gray already has three home runs, placing him fifth in the state, right in competition to repeat as Iowa’s home run leader. And on the mound tossing to Gray, Cross Bandy has made the most of his innings, leading the team with 18 strikeouts.
Softball
DCG is rolling right now, blanking their last three games. Now at 9-0, almost half of the team’s wins have been via shutout.
On Saturday, the Mustangs had their biggest win yet of the season, cruising past Earlham 15-0 at Clarinda’s tournament. That featured a nine-run first inning to open things up. Jenah Gray and Addie Abens were involved with home runs, now holding six and three homers, respectively.
Last year, in 41 games played, Macee Reiling led the team with 13 home runs. Gray is on pace for 25 home runs, and Abens is on pace for 13.
Boys Soccer
DCG’s season came to a thrilling close on Monday night, falling to Cedar Rapids Washington in the state quarterfinals in front of a rowdy home crowd.
Taking a 1-0 lead into halftime, the Mustangs let up two goals in the second half to the Warriors. But after a number of corner kick attempts, DCG broke through to tie the game through a Landon Anderson header. An aggressive game left both teams exhausted on the ground at the end of the second sudden-death period, moving into penalty kicks, to which the Warriors would walk out with a 4-1 advantage to move on from the reigning state champions.
Girls Soccer
The Mustangs’ surge continues into the state semifinals on Thursday to face Xavier after downing Pella 5-0 in the first round on Tuesday.
That marks the seventh-straight shutout posted by Dallas Center, outscoring opponents 40-0 in that span. The last team that scored against the Mustangs’ stout defense that is looking to hoist the state championship trophy for the third year in a row, was top-seeded Waverly-Shell Rock.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: DCG girls soccer shutout streak improves, slugfest opens baseball, softball seasons
Reporting by Sean Cordy / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
