Des Moines, Iowa — West Lyon’s quest for a state title continued Monday, as the Wildcats took down Mid-Prairie 13-3 in the 2A quarterfinals.
The Wildcats (15-3) strung together nine runs in the second and third innings – a tone-setter in their win over the Golden Hawks (15-4).
Starting in the second, Mid-Prairie hit two West Lyon batters with pitches, allowed a wild pitch, and walked five. Without notching a single hit, West Lyon scored five runs in the inning and never looked back.
The Wildcats added four more the next inning. With the bases loaded, Josh VanBeek doubled to left center field, bringing in three runs (Kramer, Zach VanBeek, and Bruggeman). Fleshman followed up the at bat with another successful one, scoring Josh VanBeek with a single to right center field.
Mid-Prairie wouldn’t be shut out, though, tacking on three runs in the fourth inning, but it wasn’t enough to counter.
The Golden Hawks went through three pitchers quickly. Keegan Gingerich, Monte Slabaugh, and Collin Miller all saw action within the first three innings. Each pitcher allowed at least three runs.
On the flip side, West Lyon arm Jalyn Gramstad kept Mid-Prairie, one of the better hitting programs in 2A, at bay for his time on the mound. The senior pitcher lasted four innings, holding Golden Hawk batters to just three runs. For perspective, Mid-Prairie entered Monday’s contest scoring the fourth-most runs in 2A this season.
West Lyon will face Van Meter in the 2A semifinals on Thursday. Van Meter took down Treynor 1-0 in the quarterfinals to open Monday’s action.
