Eagles reach districts on 10-game streak

Baseball

     Four victories extended the Midland baseball winning streak to 10 as the Eagles head into postseason play.

     “We are playing well at the most important time of the year,” Midland coach Ryan Steines said.

     The Eagles traveled to Bellevue Marquette for a doubleheader, and won both games, by scores of 5-3 and 7-3. In the first game, Jensen Dodge pitched a three-hitter over seven innings.

     “Jensen pitched well. We made some really nice plays on defense behind him as well,” Steines said. “We had a lot of quality at bats and were able to come through with big hits. We were also very aggressive on the base paths, which put a lot of pressure on Marquette defensively.”

     Midland had 10 hits in the second game, and won it with five runs in the top of the seventh inning. Peyton Rupp and Carsen Rupp both went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Britan Martens and Austin Smith were 2-for-4. Austin Smith, pitching in relief of Alex Smith, picked up the win.

     “Alex came through with a big two-out hit to give us the lead,” Steines said.

     The Eagles then traveled to Anamosa July 3 for a non-conference game, and won 8-7. Midland took an 8-5 lead thanks to a grand slam by Austin Smith in the top of the sixth, then held off a rally. Getting two hits apiece were Fisher Bisinger, Austin Smith, Peyton Rupp and Wilson Buckwalter. Starting pitcher Bisinger got the win, with Austin Smith picking up a save.

     Midland then closed its regular season with a 5-4 win at Durant July 5. The Eagles took a 4-2 lead with two runs in the top of the fourth, then added the decisive run in the top of the seventh before Durant ended with a two-run rally. Buckwalter pitched four innings to get the win, and Austin Smith notched another save. Getting two hits each were Carsen Rupp, Martens and Buckwalter.

     Midland finished fifth in the Tri-Rivers Conference with a 14-9 record, and is 16-12 overall heading into the postseason. The Eagles were scheduled to play a Class 1A, District 8 quarterfinal game against Bellevue Marquette, at Calamus-Wheatland July 10. The winner will play a semifinal game at North Linn July 12.