The Aplington-Parkersburg baseball team made its mark in school history when it defeated Roland-Story 2-1 in Tuesday’s 2A substate final in Marshalltown, as aired on 99 The Wave. The win clinched the program its first ever state tournament appearance.
In the second inning, Jaxson Kleespies grounded into a fielder’s choice, which scored Preston Janssen and Gabe Jacobson. Throughout the middle innings, both teams threatened with runners in scoring position, but the defenses held strong. The Norsemen scored their only run in the sixth, and had the tying run at second base in the seventh, but the Falcons remained poised to finish the win.
“You know, I’ve never had goosebumps like this,” senior second baseman Cooper Hoff says. “This is awesome. This is what you dream of as a kid. And yeah, it just doesn’t feel real. I’m just trying to soak it in. First time in program history. We just made history. That’s awesome. And yeah, I mean, I’m just real proud of our kids. I mean, that was a battle. And we did it.”
Head Coach Brett Kleespies says just like the prior postseason games, the defensive gameplan was executed nearly perfectly.
“I don’t think it’s set in yet, just kind of surreal, kind of coming down from that last inning,” Kleespies says. “Heart rate was a little bit higher at the end. Preston Janssen pitched a heck of a ball game on the mound, and really, really good bunt defense. We told him in the huddle there, we were going to make a switch there. But he pitched so well that we kind of just rode it. And the bunt defense was a terrific. We knew coming in that they were going to bunt if they had runners on. And a couple guys that had a lot of stolen bases. I don’t think it’s set in yet, but I’m just so incredibly proud of these guys, the five seniors and their leadership and just their ability to rally the guys. So again, like the other night, just proud of what the guys have been able to do this year.”
Nick Neuroth, Tate Neymeyer, Sully Janssen, Gabe Jacobson and Preston Janssen recorded the team’s five hits. Preston Janssen pitched the complete game with one strikeout, three walks and seven hits.
The Falcons will compete in next week’s Class 2A state tournament in Carroll. They’ll take on New Hampton Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. on 99 The Wave.
Cooper Hoff interview:
Brett Kleespies interview:
