Championship vibes

Save the best for last. That is what the Bombers 11UAA baseball team did finishing first and bringing home a championship from the USSSA State Tournament on July 1.

Eleven kids from Monroe, Prairie City and Runnells competed in the three-day tournament finishing 6-0 on the weekend and winning their first state championship. The team, consisting of Gavin Steenhoek, Trigg Steenhoek, Charlie Sitzmann, Adrien Robbins, Quinntin Blaine, Shay Burns, Jeffery McDanel, Jeter Hartson, Chase Wagaman, Carson Hansen and Trenner Van Dyke, were placed in the top division after finishing 26-10 on the year.

“Our first tournament was the last weekend in April, it was about 40 degrees out, it was cold,” head coach Josh Hartson said. “We played 10 total tournaments and we’ve been in Iowa City and all over Des Moines.”

After months of competing, the team signed up for the state tournament and was placed in the top division.

“You are ranked and they divide you in three different divisions in the state tournament. You have your top teams, then the middle division and the lowest division,” Hartson said. “There were 64 overall in our AA and they took the top 24, which we were in.”

After winning the first two games Friday, the team went on to rack up two more W’s on Saturday placing them in the championship round Sunday. With another win and a record of 5-0, the team moved on to the championship game against a team from Ballard. Hartson said the game was a close one that went back and forth but in the end the boys were able to close it out.

“We got down early, 2-0, then came back 2-1. It stood there for about an inning and then we scored a bunch and got up 8-2. Then they started to come back and it got to 8-4 by the last inning and we ended up shutting them down,” Hartson said. “We struck out the last kid to win it, it’s the best way to do it.”

Brittney Bielfelt, who’s son Adrien pitches for the team, said she felt the pressure as he delivered the final throw of the game.

“Of course there is the pressure of watching your son pitch in the championship but his coaches have taught him a lot and he has great teammates backing him up,” Bielfelt said. “Adrien was also smiling on the mound so I knew he was OK and I could relax a little.”

With the final out called, the team erupted in celebration as they realized their goal of becoming state champions. Hartson said the team had tougher competition along the way and ended up with a better record, which made the victory ever better.

“I’ve never seen them all like that. Some can be so quiet but they were all jumping up and down, it was just crazy, it was fun to see,” Hartson said.

For their efforts, the boys received a state champion banner and championship rings that are filled with plenty of bling. They also have the distinction of saying they are state champions, a feat many athletes never achieve.

“The boys worked really hard this season and spent every weekend for three months straight playing in different tournaments with different competition to get ready for state. Watching them win it all this year was very exciting,” Bielfelt said.

The games aren’t quite over yet, though. Hartson said the entire team qualified for the All Star game to be held in last weekend in July.

“They will bring kids from all over the state and play in Des Moines the last Saturday in July,” Hartson said. “They will divide them up, there will be a couple on each team so they will play against each other. It will be a lot of fun.”

Also with the victory, the team received an invitation to the “Battle of the Borders” tournament next year in Nebraska. The annual tournament brings together the top four teams from Iowa and Nebraska to play against each other in a fun competition.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com