RD Keep/North Mahaska Communications
Jack Kelderman prepares to deliver a strike during the North Mahaska game against Colfax-Mingo Wednesday. Kelderman struck out 10 in the contest.
North Mahaska’s Jack Kelderman came close to a perfect game Wednesday but a walk and hit spoiled it. However, Kelderman and his teammates pounded out hit after hit to shut down the Tigerhawks of Colfax-Mingo, 13-2.
Kelderman got plenty of run support under the blistering heat. The game was to be played in New Sharon but doe to field conditions was moved to Colfax. Kelderman, who struck out 10 batters, fanned six of the first nine batters he faced
North Mahaska, 11-7, struck for six runs in the bottom of the second inning, batting through the lineup. They added four more in third and three in the fourth for a commanding 13-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth, Kelderman struck out his ninth batter then issued a walk to Ryder Duchene. Colfax-Mingo’s Jace Lewis then singled into right field. Duchene scored on an error when Chase Trotter hit a grounder to third base. Lewis later scored on a wild pitch before Kelderman struck out the final batter.
“I was feeling pretty good, but it was hot out there and I ran out of water,” said Kelderman. “It was hot out there.”
Dane Van Mersbergen had three hits while Lucas Nunnikhoven, Ryan Groom, Luke Boender and Charlie Goemaat each hit two. Bronson Edwards-Hnton singled with an RBI.
North Mahaska travels to Cardinal Friday for a nonconference game. They will be at BGM for the final conference contest and wrap up the regular season. Tuesday, they will meet GMG at the University of Iowa to complete the regular season. They host Mormon Trail at 7 p.m. Saturday in the first round of the Class 1A district tournament.