Baseball team starts season with Metro title

Leading off first base looking to steal second, junior Colby Coonradt finishes the two game Metro tournament with two steals and two runs.

With a 3-1 record, the baseball team and head coach Nick Klein are focused on the season ahead. “We have to be able to take mishaps and use it as a motive force to achieve something positive,” Klein said. “You always have some games that you’re just not getting, or you’re making little mistakes in the field, or you’re just feeling worn out. In those games, you have to be able to keep a level head and move on to the next pitch, while still utilizing the base skills we’ve worked on.” 

Right now, Klein said he is stressing the backbone skills of baseball. “We are focusing on the fundamentals of the game right now and trying to focus on details. Good teams have to be concentrated all times, and that’s what we really need to focus on.” 

After the Metro Tournament last Thursday at Robinson-Dresser Field, Cedar Falls set themselves up for a good season. Klein decided to put freshman Max Steinlage in as pitcher. As well as giving Waterloo Columbus a run for their money, Steinlage is also the only left-handed pitcher. 

The  Tigers began a sprint to the end at the bottom of the third inner with the game tied at 3-3, and they exploded for seven runs and looked to distance themselves from the Waterloo Columbus Sailors for a 10-run game.

Drew Hoth began with a walk, and Conner Gerdes doubled off the fence. Gage Flanscha followed with a bloop single to load the bases for Conrad Burke. Burke came through with a two-run double, and Jackson Steffener followed with a sacrifice fly. Mitch Young and Tate Johnson had RBI singles, as well, to boost the Tigers’ lead to 10-3.

Burke came through with a two-run double and Jackson Steffener followed with a sacrifice fly. Mitch Young and Tate Johnson had RBI singles, as well, to boost the Tigers’ lead to 10-3. The Sailors struck back for four runs in the fifth frame and cut their deficit to 10-7. Cedar Falls answered with three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. Conner Gerdes paced the Tiger attack with two doubles, a single and two RBIs. Carter Gallagher tagged a single and double for Columbus. Cedar Falls 16, Columbus 7