EDITOR’S NOTE: Previous story had incorrect information.
North Mahaska’s baseball team prepared for the Class 1A postseason this week with wins at Cardinal on Monday and Melcher-Dallas on Tuesday. The Warhawks used the long ball to top Cardinal 5-3, then routed Melcher-Dallas with a seven-run explosion in the top of the sixth inning for a 17-3 win.
At Cardinal of Eldon, sophomore Nash Smith homered and drove in two runs to help the Warhawks cause. He and senior Grant Smith were the only Warhawks to hit extra bases hits. Grant Smith hit a double with an RBI. North Mahaska scored five runs in the top of the fifth inning to break a scoreless game. Cardinal plated a run in their half of the sixth and two in the seventh but could not catch the Warhawks.
Blake Readshaw picked up the mound win. The Warhawks outhit Cardinal 8-6. In addition to Smith’s hitting, Sam Terpstra had three hits.
Blaine Bryant led the Comets (11-9) with two hits. Lewis Dawson went the distance allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks. He struck out 12.
Tuesday, North Mahaska travelled to Melcher-Dallas, the team they will face Saturday in the opening round of the Class A District 8 tournament.
North Mahaska scored two runs in each of the first two innings then added five in the top of the third for a 9-0 advantage. Melcher-Dallas scored a singleton in their half of the third and two more in the fourth to cut the lead by a third. NM would add an insurance run in the fifth and plated seven in the sixth to end the game early.
The Warhawks hit five doubles in the game. Senior Dylan Klinker hit two and drove in three runs. Grant Smith hit two singles and a double to drive in three and Terpstra hit a single and a double to drive in three more. Nash Smith and Readshaw also drove in two apiece.
Nash Smith threw the first four innings to earn the win. He gave up three runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Jayden Stout pitched in relief with a strikeout.
Cole Metz led Melcher-Dallas with a double and RBI. Johnny Milburn took the loss going 4 1/3 innings. He allowed 10 runs on eight hits, three walks and three hit batters.
NM (19-5) plays Melcher-Dallas (13-12) at Lynnville-Sully Saturday at 5 p.m. It will be followed by the Lynnville-Sully (17-9) and BGM (5-12). The winners will play at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lynnville-Sully.