Power dynamics are shifting in baseball, while softball still points to Van Meter at the top at the midway point of the season. (Events covered June 11-17)
Softball (16-2)
Since a 2-1 loss to ADM (which has become one of the hottest teams in the state this past week), the Bulldogs have now strung together seven wins in a row, and done so at an astonishing clip.
An 8-6 win at Ottumwa is the closest game of the bunch and the team’s lowest score over that stretch. While an arbitrary cutoff, last year’s state championship roster for Van Meter peaked at six games in a row, scoring at least eight runs.
On top of a win over a sizable non-conference opponent, the top-ranked Bulldogs also lifted themselves further up on the watch tower of the WCAC after downing Panorama with 11-0 and 17-1 wins, and Pleasantville 9-1.
Amid the scoring spree, it may come as a surprise that only one home run was launched this week, with Ava Hohenadel pushing one over the fence against Panorama. Otherwise, it’s been an elite lesson in small ball from the Bulldogs.
Hosting a tournament over the weekend with Class 3A’s top-ranked Williamsburg and No. 7 St. Edmond, the Bulldogs earned two more ranked wins, putting on a clinic on the basepaths with a pair of 9-4 wins.
Not only did Van Meter not hit a home run in either game, but had just three total extra base hits. Instead, Mady Schnell had three hits to lead the team against Williamsburg, where 10 different players scored or had a hit. Against St. Eddies, the hit parade continued where Finley Netten led the team with two runs batted in on just one hit.
Baseball (14-5)
The Bulldogs learned on Tuesday once again what every team that has played them so far this year: Pleasantville is really good. Championship good.
For the second time this season, the Bulldogs lost to the Trojans, falling 6-2, marking the first time in at least two decades that Van Meter was swept by Pleasantville. At 16-0 this season, the Trojans have been nothing short of phenomenal, ranking top-five in batting average, home runs, ERA and opponent batting average. It’s the type of roster that makes easy work of the season, and it comes at the expense of ending Van Meter’s own impressive streak.
Coming into Tuesday, the Bulldogs were on a three-game shutout streak, defeating Panorama twice 10-0 and Earlham 8-0 for the team’s first three shutouts of the season. Jay Haley, Cason Peterson and Cole Moore were all orchestrating those wins from the mound, with Moore also hitting his conference-leading fourth home run of the season. Opponents rightfully fear him at the plate, with Moore leading the entire state with 25 walks drawn.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Van Meter softball streak continues, baseball clashes with Pleasantville
Reporting by Sean Cordy / Des Moines Register
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