Defending state champs down AGWSR in Class 1A district final

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.

“Two years ago, we had a really good year; I didn’t think we took a step back last year, the ball didn’t always bounce our way. This year, we had some leadership from some different guys, especially in a year that nothing was guaranteed. That’s just the nature of it – we benefitted last game from being able to be here tonight, probably.”

Showalter was referring to getting a bye since a COVID-19 test for a Northwood-Kensett player didn’t come back in time for the district semifinal game that was scheduled for Tuesday, July 14 resulting in a forfeit win.

“Obviously, we would have liked to have faced Northwood-Kensett,” Showalter said. “We were happy with the opportunity to play tonight and I thought we gave them our best shot tonight.”

Junior shortstop Jaden Penning was 2-for-2 with a walk and a double, but was caught in a run-down and tagged out trying to stretch the double to a triple to lead off in the fourth inning.

“I thought we played with energy,” Showalter said. “The base running error, fielding we made going hard, being aggressive (with plays). I can live with that.

“We played our brand of baseball all year, couple mistakes here and there, and with a good team like that, they are going to capitalize on it, but I was happy with the way we fought to the end and gave it what we had tonight.”

Penning said he preferred the hard throwing Doug Taylor, who struck out seven Cougars, yielded four hits and a walk.

“He came in really fast, that’s all I know,” Penning said. “Mainly, fast balls I guess. No off-speeds, curveballs? I think I saw only one out of all them and it was in the dirt. But, yeah, I don’t like hitting off of curveballs.

“I wanted the seniors to have a good last game. It didn’t end that way, but they fought hard in the end.”

Roder, along with Luke Starr and Keaton Penning, who made a pinch-hitting appearance in the seventh all graduate from the team. Showalter had a message for the trio.

“Tell them, ‘thank you,’” Showalter said. “Tell the whole team, ‘find whoever makes it possible for you to be here, tell them thank you, tell them you love them.’ Seniors, it goes back to them. The hard work for four years, it wasn’t always easy, but it was a lot of fun. Those three will be missed big-time; three good kids. Best of luck to whatever they are doing now.”

Newman had a date with Nevada at Madrid on Tuesday, July 21 to try to defend its fourth straight state title.

“Obviously, they are a very good team,” Showalter said. “I mean, the banners up there, they are going to be up there again, I bet.”

Starr struggled a little on the mound despite striking out five. He hit three batters with pitches and walked five, in which the Knights keyed on for three runs in the second and two more in the fifth. A one-out double, passed ball and an error scored the third-inning run. Only two of the six runs against him were earned.

The future looks bright for the Cougars, who finish 10-2.

“Next year, should be pretty good,” Penning said. “We’ve got some juniors that will step up as seniors and be leaders. We’ve got some experience now, so we should be good next year.”

Mason City Newman 6, AGWSR 0

AGWSR       000   000   0     -    0     5     4

Newman      031   020   x     -    6     6     0

Winning battery– Doug Taylor, Jacob Nelson (7) and Max Burt. Losing battery – Luke Starr, Ben Macy (7) and Brody Roder. Two or more hits– AGWSR (Jaden Penning); MCN (Jack Maznio). 2B– AGWSR (Penning); MCN (Maznio, Burt, Sammy Kratz). SAC– None. SB– AGWSR, None; MCN (Maznio). HBP– AGWSR, None; MCN (John Fitzsimmons 2, Maznio). RBI– MCN (Maznio 2, Nash Holmgaard, Elijah Brinkley).