Top-ranked and top-seeded Mason City Newman Catholic survived its closest call of the postseason, defeating fifth-ranked Alta 4-0 Thursday afternoon in a Class 1A semifinal game at Principal Park. The Knights (36-1) will play for the title at noon Saturday.
It was the first game in the postseason that Newman was forced to play a full seven innings. The Knights outscored their first five postseason foes 71-4. During the regular season, they outscored 1A opponents by a 125-5 margin.
The Knights' only loss during the season was 11-4 to Mason City High on June 18. They have since won 14 straight.
Newman scored in the second inning on a double by Kyle McCann and two errors for a 1-0 lead.
The Knights added a run in the fifth on a hit batter, a stolen base, a wild pitch, a walk, a hit batter and an RBI single by Jordan Adams. Newman had the bases loaded when a line drive double play ended the inning.
Newman padded their lead in the seventh on singles by Carter Kruckenberg and Thomas Weber, two wild pitches, and two errors. The Cyclones committed five errors in the game.
Michael Huseman had two hits for Alta (31-4). The Cyclones were making their first state tournament appearance.
Newman is making its fifth championship game appearance. The Knights won Class 1A titles in 1998 and 2002.
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