War Eagles score first playoff victory in over five years
The War Eagles celebrate their first round playoff victory over Oelwein on July 3. (Photos by Jarod Bormann)
Coach Casey Zarr receives a "Gatorade" shower from Caden Helle after the War Eagles playoff victory.
Max Nuehring slides safely into home in Clayton Ridge-Central’s playoff victory over the Huskies.
Kylar Millard catches an infield pop-up in the game versus Cascade.
Caden Helle watches the ball after making contact in the game against the Cougars.
War Eagle pitcher Owen Hammersland throws to Cascade.
Ashton Thiese hustles toward first base in the round two playoff game versus Cascade.
Kahne Bolsinger bats against Oelwein in the July 3 game.
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
The Clayton Ridge-Central baseball team’s postseason was an emotional one, and while it came to a crushing end after losing to the Cascade Cougars in the district quarterfinals, the team pulled off the unexpected with a stirring win over the Oelwein Huskies in round one.
It was a victory “the boys, this program and the communities needed,” coach Casey Zarr said.
The War Eagles didn’t win as many games as they wanted to during the regular season, but it’s not how you start, but how you finish. In Zarr’s estimation, the team got better as the season progressed and, in the end, won more games than last year. It’s evidence that, in year two at the helm, Zarr has the team “moving in the right direction.”
“We will keep building,” he said. “Can’t be focused on an end goal. Just focus on the process. Push the rock.”
The War Eagles certainly pushed the rock against the Huskies, and it wasn’t an easy rock to move. It was a pitchers duel in the early innings, as senior Caden Helle held Oelwein scoreless in the first three, while the War Eagles clung to a one-run lead.
As the game progressed, the War Eagle offense gave Helle some breathing room, adding two more runs in the top of the fourth. This proved pivotal, as the Huskies responded with a run in the bottom of the fourth and another in the fifth. Helle shut the door after that, pitching a complete game, giving up seven hits, while striking out five.
The offense put up two hits, induced six walks, stole four bases and scored when it mattered. Max Nuehring hit a timely RBI double and scored a run. Kurt Ross and Ashton Thiese made their way across home plate to tack on the other two.
The win was the first playoff victory for this group of War Eagles, including the six seniors, and the first for the program since the 2016-2017 seasons.
After Oelwein, CR-C took on the 23-8 Cougars, and from the opening pitch, the War Eagles were in for a fight. Cascade scored in four of the five innings that were played, handing the War Eagles a 10-0 defeat.
When it was over, Zarr said a few words to the players, followed by the range of emotions that occur after a loss, the end of a season and saying goodbye to teammates and friends.
In defeat, Zarr said, “I tip my cap to coach Hummel of Cascade; he’s built a dynasty over there and been doing it for a while.”
But the season was not without its highlights, apart from the playoff win. Helle put up a new school record with 17 strikeouts in one game, the offense improved in its ability to draw walks as they continue “striving toward the next jump,” and the young team will only improve making contact on the fastball.
On the mound, Zarr commented “the staff this year did a tremulous job getting in the zone early and letting its defense work when we needed to again. I am excited for next year’s squad.”
When it comes to next year’s squad, it will be even younger, losing six players. Currently, the roster has only one junior. Among the players graduating are Elliot Kelly, who led the team in runs, as well as Nate Meier, Kylar Millard, Thiese, Ross and Helle, who was the team leader in RBIs, average and strikeouts.
Zarr had something personal to say about each player and what they brought to the team.
Kelly, he said, brought versatility at the plate and in the field, and “always brought a smile and competitive nature to the team,” while Meier had “on one of the best gloves and reads on fly balls I’ve ever seen.”
Thiese improved his batting average by almost .175 points, and was a “solid” glove at third base, as well as on the mound. Millard was always a true second baseman, and had an “all around good swing, plus some speed stealing bases,” while Ross was the “glue guy.”
“He was a jack of all trades who could play anywhere, could swing big or bunt for a base hit,” Zarr said.
With Helle, “there’s a lot here,” Zarr reflected. “Just a leader hitting, pitching, fielding. High baseball IQ…a good kid. I’m gonna miss this group.”
As year two under Zarr comes to a close, there is confidence that, even with a young team again next season, the War Eagles “will get things rolling.”
“We will continue to strive to compete at the highest level…push the rock,” Zarr said.
