The Aplington-Parkersburg baseball team limited Grundy Center’s offense and took advantage of offensive opportunities in a 5-1 win in Tuesday’s district semifinal in State Center, as aired on 99 The Wave.
In the bottom of the first, Sully Janssen singled to drive in Nick Neuroth and Gabe Jacobson drove Janssen in for a 2-0 lead. In the third, Preston Janssen hit a double that drove in two runs, then Janssen came home on a throw to the outfield to complete an inside-the-park home run for a 5-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth, the Spartans loaded the bases, and Pete Lebo drove in courtesy runner Tate Jirovsky to cut the deficit to 5-1. Both teams turned to relief pitchers in the late innings, and the score remained 5-1 the rest of the way. Senior Nick Neuroth says a strong start set the tone.
“We started off well,” Neuroth says. “Preston Janssen in the first inning, catching that line drive on third base saved a few runs. Leading off with a double here for us and then Sully Janssen moving us over on a passed ball, then Sully getting a base rip there, getting me home, that helps, getting a lead right off the bat, 1-0. So we got the momentum and obviously, playing a team so close, so rival-like, it just brings the emotions out that much more.”
Head Coach Brett Kleespies says the team accomplished the objectives to win.
“We just challenged the guys this week,” Kleespies says. “It was nice having the bye this week, but it was also kind of a double-edged sword where it would have been nice to have the competitive innings there, but we got some guys kind of healed up that were just kind of dealing with a few things here and there and some rest. I kind of challenged guys to do what they need to do at the plate and capitalize. We got on them right away, and we had the in-the-park home run, which helped. A couple of overthrows there and we capitalized. We knew we needed to put up five to eight and hang on, and we got the job done.”
The Spartans committed four errors to extend innings defensively. Hayden Geerdes had one hit. Brayden Davie pitched 5.2 innings with three strikeouts, no walks and seven hits. Grundy Center’s season ends at 15-7.
Nick Neuroth had two hits and Preston Janssen drove in two runs for the Falcons. Devin Davis pitched 5.1 innings with five strikeouts, two walks and six hits. AP (16-7) has advanced to Saturday’s district final at #1 (2A) West Marshall, which defeated Hudson 2-1 in eight innings in the second game of Tuesday’s doubleheader.
Nick Neuroth interview:
Tate Neymeyer interview:
Brett Kleespies interview:
