News Summary
Baseball fever is high in Des Moines as the Saydel Eagles and Bishop Heelan Crusaders secure their spots in the Iowa high school baseball state semifinals. The Eagles showcased their talent with a 6-4 victory over Davenport Assumption, driven by key performances from junior Kamden Jorgensen and senior ace James Tounsley. Meanwhile, the Crusaders edged past Carlisle with a final score of 3-2, thanks to Ethan Erickson’s remarkable two-run home run and winning RBI single. As both teams prepare for intense semifinal matchups, fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming action.
Saydel Eagles and Bishop Heelan Crusaders Make Headlines in Iowa Baseball Semifinals
Baseball fever has taken over the city of Des Moines as the Saydel Eagles and the Bishop Heelan Crusaders have stamped their tickets to the Iowa high school baseball state semifinals! It’s been a thrilling ride for both teams, and fans could not be more excited as they gear up for some intense baseball action.
Saydel Eagles Fly High with Victory Over Davenport Assumption
First up, the Saydel Eagles put on an extraordinary performance on July 21, marking their return to the Iowa high school baseball state tournament for the first time since 2017. The Eagles faced off against the No. 4-seeded Davenport Assumption Knights in a nail-biting Class 3A quarterfinal matchup, ultimately clinching a 6-4 victory. With such a noteworthy win, Saydel has once again proven their mettle on the diamond.
Junior sensation Kamden Jorgensen and rookie standout Turner Bennett were pivotal in driving the team to victory. As for the Eagles’ pitching, senior ace James Tounsley was nothing short of spectacular on the mound. He maintained his undefeated record, allowing just eight hits and four runs while striking out three batters. Tounsley’s performance was instrumental in keeping the Knights at bay.
The Eagles kicked things off in the second inning with a daring bunt from sophomore Braydon Boston that drove in pinch runner Blake Mears. The Eagles’ second-inning blitz really turned the game around, especially thanks to Bennett, who scored three runs despite being called out at second base due to a defensive error. By this point, Saydel had jumped to a 4-0 lead.
The Knights didn’t go down without a fight. They clawed their way back with an RBI single from sophomore Jackson Panther that brought in senior John Williams, narrowing the score to 4-1. Assumption made further strides in the third inning, scoring two more runs, thanks to RBI singles from Nolan Dittmer and Luke Argo, making it a close 4-3 game.
But Saydel wasn’t done just yet! Jorgensen hit a phenomenal solo home run in the top of the fourth inning, stretching the lead to 5-3, marking his 15th home run of the season, which is the highest in the state! Yet, the Knights weren’t ready to concede. They narrowed the gap to 5-4 after a critical error allowed Williams to score in the bottom of the sixth. However, Jorgensen capped off the night with another score in the top of the seventh, solidifying Saydel’s triumph with a final score of 6-4. With this victory, Saydel will now be gearing up to challenge the No. 1 seed, Wahlert Catholic, who won their quarterfinal match against No. 8 Boone.
Bishop Heelan Seals the Deal Against Carlisle
Meanwhile, in another thrilling quarterfinal, the Bishop Heelan Crusaders faced the No. 6-seeded Carlisle Wildcats and emerged victorious with a close score of 3-2. Bishop Heelan’s Ethan Erickson made headlines with a dazzling two-run home run early in the game and then came through with the winning RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning, securing the win for his team.
The Wildcats got on the board first with a majestic home run from Owen Johnson in the top of the first inning. Bishop Heelan answered back with Erickson’s two-run shot in the bottom of the third inning, giving them a 2-1 lead. Carlisle wasn’t going to let a little thing like a deficit keep them down, though. They tied the game in the sixth inning with a clutch single from Carter Berg that brought Trevor Shepard home.
Despite the Wildcats putting up a good fight, their season came to an end with a respectable 24-12 record, a significant improvement from last year’s 12-22. Bishop Heelan players celebrated their journey together, crediting their success to solid teamwork and experience as they prepare for their semifinal match against the No. 2 seed, Pella, on Wednesday.
Excitement Grows for Upcoming Semifinals
The stage is set for an electrifying semifinal round as Saydel and Bishop Heelan aim for the ultimate prize. As both teams take strides toward their championship dreams, baseball fans across the state of Iowa can’t wait to see what unfolds next in this thrilling tournament!
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Additional Resources
- Des Moines Register
- Wikipedia: Baseball in the United States
- We Are Iowa
- Google Search: Iowa State High School Baseball 2025
- Sports Illustrated
- Google Scholar: High School Baseball Iowa Championships
- Des Moines Register Update
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Iowa High School Baseball 2025
- Press Citizen
- Google News: Saydel Eagles Baseball