Here are the 7 Des Moines-area teams competing at the Iowa state baseball tournament
The Iowa high school state baseball tournament begins on Monday in Iowa City and Carroll, and there are plenty of Des Moines-area and central Iowa teams competing for a chance to win a state title.
Seven of the teams in this year’s tournament feature schools from in and around Des Moines. That’s even after some of the top teams, like Van Meter and Ankeny Centennial, were eliminated.
But by the end of the week, only four teams will remain standing, and those programs will be named 2023 state champions across four different classes.
Here are the Des Moines-area baseball teams to watch in the Iowa state baseball tournament.
Carlisle
Overall record: 22-12
IHSBCA ranking: unranked
First round: 2 p.m. Monday vs. No. 3 seed Marion (Iowa City)
The Wildcats will have a tough first-round opponent, but they are starting the state tournament on a seven-game win streak. One or more of Carlisle’s senior starters will need to step up in order for the Wildcats to make a deep run in Iowa City.
Dallas Center-Grimes
Overall record: 30-6
IHSBCA ranking: 8
First round: Tuesday at 2 p.m. vs. No. 4 Dowling Catholic (Iowa City)
The Mustangs ride a 12-game win streak into the state tournament on the back of a true team effort. Dallas Center-Grimes will need big performances from Clayton Campidilli, Taitn Gray and company when the Mustangs face one of the best players in the state.
Dowling Catholic
Overall record: 26-11
IHSBCA ranking: 7
First round: Tuesday at 2 p.m. vs. No. 5 DCG (Iowa City)
Trever Baumler is an absolute force. He has the fifth-best batting average (.459) and fourth-most home runs (8) in Class 4A. Pair that with Beau Gamble, Luke Sheridan, George Nahas and Cooper Nicholson’s talents and the Maroons have what it takes to be a title team.
Johnston
Overall record: 33-8
IHSBCA ranking: 3
First round: Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. vs. No. 8 Iowa City Liberty (Iowa City)
The Dragons haven’t played Liberty, but they have played and beaten some of the top teams in central Iowa. Johnston will lean on Will Nuss and Adam Kayko, in addition to its extensive pitching rotation. Carter Woollums has 77 strikeouts, and Caden Wilson has a 5A best .096 opponent batting average through eight appearances.
North Polk
Overall record: 27-5
IHSBCA ranking: 2
First round: Monday at 11:30 a.m. vs. No. 7 Spencer (Iowa City)
Junior pitcher Reece Wrage is tied for first in Class 3A with nine wins and another North Polk pitcher, Hunter Cook, is third with 92 strikeouts. Those players should find a way to lead the Comets past an opponent they haven’t played this season.
Southeast Polk
Overall record: 28-14
IHSBCA ranking: 5
First round: Tuesday at 5 p.m. vs. No. 6 Cedar Falls (Iowa City)
Southeast Polk and Cedar Falls have faced off before, and the Rams did not fare well in the 5-1 loss. The revenge narrative may give Southeast Polk the edge, so long as the Rams’ senior-heavy squad takes care of business.
Woodward-Granger
Overall record: 20-5
IHSBCA ranking: unranked
First round: Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. vs. No. 3 Cascade (Carroll)
Woodward-Granger upset Kuemper Catholic, one of the top-ranked teams in Class 2A, to make it into the state tournament. That means the Hawks are riding a bit of a win streak and that anything is possible with this team. Could they pull off another upset in the opening round?
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 7 Des Moines-area teams to compete in Iowa state baseball tournament
