The Winfield-Mt. Union/Columbus baseball team came up short this week in the semifinal round of the Class 2A District 10 tournament, dropping a 14-1 decision in five innings to No. 11 Anamosa on the road. The Blue Raiders scored in every half inning, putting the pressure on the Wolves with three runs in the first, six in the second, four in the third and another in the fourth. WMU/Columbus broke through in the third when Cael Phillips walked then came home on a Riley Kaalberg RBI triple. The Wolves missed an early scoring chance when Phillips and Kaalberg had back-to-back one out singles in the first and they were turned away.
WMU/Columbus was out hit 8-5 in total. The Blue Raiders got four RBI from first basemen Jack Sellnau and pitcher Easton Wheeler had three hits at the plate. On the mound, Wheeler recorded the win, tossing five innings of three hit ball, giving up an earned run, walking two and striking out six. The Wolves were led by two hit nights each for Phillips and Kaalberg, with Phillips recording a run and Kaalberg an RBI. Nick Sparrow had the only other hit, a single. On the mound, Phillips went three innings, surrendering seven hits, 13 runs, just three earned, five walks and two Ks. Kason Dopler worked an inning out of pen. The Wolves committed five errors in the field. After the game Winfield-Mt. Union/Columbus head coach Nick Swanson talked about his team’s play, what makes Anamosa a tough out, his standouts and his seniors.
Swanson said, “A big thing for us tonight was to try to hit fastballs. We knew we were going to see breaking balls just from scouting the previous game. Trying to establish pressure on them early. We tried to keep them off balance at the plate. They are a pretty darn good hitting team. Obviously you saw that with 14 runs. Walks and errors both killed us a little bit tonight. Our seniors, Cael (Phillips) going out there on the mound tonight for the final time and then Cole (Milks) being behind the plate. Stats are great, but those two are going to be leaders that we’ll miss next year. Those two are definitely our players of the year.”
The loss ends the Wolves season at 9-12. No. 11 Anamosa is now 19-9 and will play Saturday on their home field for the District 10 Championship against Mediapolis. First pitch is set for 7p.m.