Rated and Remaining: An impressive total of seven of the Top 10 Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rated teams, including teams ranked 1 through 6, have qualified for the elite field. The “magnificent seven” are top-rated Ankeny; second ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy; third-ranked Valley; fourth-ranked Fort Dodge; fifth-ranked Iowa City West; sixth-ranked Dowling Catholic; and ninth-ranked Linn-Mar, making the field for the first time since 2006.
Top Win Coaches: Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Bret Hoyer moved his 23-year career record to 600-308 as the Cougars return to Principal Park where they have qualified under him for the 11th time. He also coached Iowa City Regina into the tournament in 1991. Iowa City West coach Charlie Stumpff has his team in the tourney for the fourth straight year and he brings a 558-334 career record to the tournament. Dowling Catholic’s Tim O’Neill has a career record of 362-170. Fort Dodge’s Matt Elsbecker is currently 373-281 and has guided the Dodgers to the final eight for the fifth time. Valley’s Ryan Cooley has an eight-year career record of 257-149.
Returning from 2011: Defending champion Dowling Catholic heads four teams that return from last summer’s tourney. Joining the Maroons, who have qualified for the 16th time, are, Kennedy; Iowa City West; and Fort Dodge.
Veteran State Qualifiers: In addition to Dowling Catholic’s 16th trip to the Elite Eight, four other teams in the field are making double-digit appearances. Kennedy is in the summer tourney for the 14th time; Fort Dodge is back for its 13th try; Valley appears for the 12th year and Ankeny returns for the 11th time.
Past Champions: Five of the teams have won previous titles. Valley is making its first appearance since 2006, when they won for the fourth straight time and sixth overall. The Tigers, one of three teams in Iowa history to win four straight titles, also won in 1955 and 1995. Dowling Catholic’s 2011 title was its fifth in four different decades (1988, 89, 99, 2001 and 2011). Fort Dodge (1969), Ankeny (1992) and Kennedy (2010). Valley is an impressive 10-5 in state tournament competition while Dowling is 17-11.
In Search of a State “W”: There are no first-time qualifiers but two schools will be seeking their first ever state tournament victory. Davenport North, who dropped 11 games by one or two runs, won its final four games to punch their second state tournament ducat and first since 2004. Linn-Mar rallied for a 2-1 extra-inning win over Muscatine in the substate to secure its fourth trip and first since 2006. They hope to improve on a 0-3 state slate.
Offensive Team Leaders: Ankeny leads the 4A tournament with 406 base hits, 343 runs and 312 RBIs. They rank second in doubles (92) home runs (38), extra base hits (139), batting average (.359), and slugging percentage (.557). Valley has lashed a tourney high of 42 home runs, 15 triples, 145 extra base hits and a .558 slugging percentage. The Tigers are second with 401 hits. Fort Dodge with 399 hits (third) leads the field with a .372 batting average. Kennedy ranks third in team batting average at .348 and runs scored with 318. Iowa City West leads the field with 95 base thefts.
Team Mound Leaders: Dowling’s pitchers lead the tournament with an ERA of 1.37 and a .183 opponents’ batting average. Ankeny’s hurlers have allowed 96 runs (the best in the field), the second fewest hits allowed (208), a second best ERA of 1.68, the second fewest walks issued (90), and the third most strike outs (275). Kennedy’s staff has issued a tourney low of 81 walks and 207 hits allowed. Linn-Mar’s mound corps has a tourney high of 334 strike outs
Win Streaks: Ankeny has strung 25 straight wins and 27 of their last 28 going into the tournament. They have set a school record of 40 wins for the season. Dowling Catholic has a current 10-game win streak and Iowa City West has prevailed in its last nine contests and 17 times in their last 18 games.
Over 77 Percent Victories: With seven of the eight teams boasting 29 or more wins, the tourney may be short on surprises. The eight teams have a combined win-loss record of 252-74 for a 77.3 winning percentage.
Enrollments: The IHSAA uses the official state certified BEDS enrollment figures for grades 9 thru 11 for the 2010-11 school year for the placement of a school in particular class. Valley is the largest school in the field with 2,038 students while Davenport North is the smallest with 747.
CLASS 4A INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Batting Average (min 60 ABs)
.460 – Cody Bell, CR Kennedy (57/124)
.456 – Josh Jahlas, CR Kennedy (62/136)
.445 – Matt Johnson, Ankeny (53/119)
.440 – Will Gormally, Fort Dodge (59/134)
.428 – Nolan Lodden, Valley (59/138)
.421 – Zach Coppola, Dowling Catholic (53/126)
.415 – Luke Vander Maten, Fort Dodge (56/135)
.409 – Tanner Buenting, Ankeny (45/110)
.408 – Tanner Hinkle, Valley (53/130)
.397 – Logan Ambrosy, CR Kennedy (46/116)
.396 – Devon Harms, Fort Dodge (40/101)
.395 – Reid Bonner, Iowa City West (51/129)
.394 – Keaton McKinney, Ankeny (50/127)
.393 – Tyus Adkins, Iowa City West (24/61)
.392 – Austin Stephens, Valley (47/120)
Total Hits
62 – Josh Jahlas, CR Kennedy
59 – Will Gormally, Fort Dodge
59 – Nolan Lodden, Valley
57 – Cody Bell, CR Kennedy
56 – Luke Vander Maten, Fort Dodge
53 – Zach Coppola, Dowling Catholic
53 – Tanner Hinkle, Valley
53 – Matt Johnson, Ankeny
51 – Reid Bonner, Iowa City, West
50 – Keaton McKinney, Ankeny
48 – Tommy Halligan, Fort Dodge
48 – Jeff Pullen, Valley
48 – Jacob TeBrake, Davenport North
47 – Austin Stephens, Valley
46 – Logan Ambrosy, CR Kennedy
45 – Tanner Buenting, Ankeny
45 – Michael Redmond, Linn-Mar
Runs Scored
54 – Josh Jahlas, CR Kennedy
51 – Tanner Buenting, Ankeny
50 – Reid Bonner, Iowa City West
50 – Nolan Lodden, Valley
45 – Ezra Reiners, Iowa City West
43 – Matt Johnson, Ankeny
42 – Garrett Fort, Ankeny
41 – Logan Ambrosy, CR Kennedy
41 – Tanner Hinkle, Valley
41 – Ross Larson, Ankeny
40 – Will Gormally, Fort Dodge
RBIs
48 – Austin Stephens, Valley
47 – Matt Johnson, Ankeny
46 – Keaton McKinney, Ankeny
44 – Austin Stroschein, Linn-Mar
43 – Ross Larson, Ankeny
41 – Declan Doyle, Iowa City West
40 – Cody Bell, CR Kennedy
40 – Sam Edwards, Fort Dodge
36 – Josh Jahlas, CR Kennedy
35 – Garrett Fort, Ankeny
34 – Logan Ambrosy, CR Kennedy
33 – Reid Bonner, Iowa City West
32 – Will Gormally, Fort Dodge
31 – Tanner Hinkle, Valley
31 – Chase Roehm, Davenport, North
31 – Ben Miller, Valley
30 – Jeff Pullen, Valley
30 – Jacob TeBrake, Davenport, North
Doubles
17 – Will Gormally, Fort Dodge
17 – Anthony Denkinger, Dowling Catholic
15 – Cody Bell, CR Kennedy
14 – Logan Ambrosy, CR Kennedy
14 – Tanner Buenting, Ankeny
14 – Matt Johnson, Ankeny
13 – Ross Larson, Ankeny
13 – Ezra Reiners, Iowa City West
12 – Alex Hayden, CR Kennedy
12 – Tanner Hinkle, Valley
12 – Nolan Lodden, Valley
11 – Josh Jahlas, CR Kennedy
11 – Michael Redmond, Linn-Mar
11 – Keaton McKinney, Ankeny
11 – Brody Baumann, Valley
10 – Ryan Siems, Iowa City West
10 – Jared Ringsdorf, Davenport North
10 – Chase Roehm, Davenport North
10 – Ben Miller, Valley
Triples
4 – Josh Jahlas, CR Kennedy
4 – Nolan Lodden, Valley
4 – Michael Redmond, Linn-Mar
4 – Jake Pauley, Valley
3 – Will Gormally, Fort Dodge
3 – Tanner Hinkle, Valley
3 – Reid Bonner, Iowa City West
3 – Garrett Fort, Ankeny
3 – Austin Stroschein, Linn-Mar
Home Runs
13 – Matt Johnson, Ankeny
13 – Austin Stephens, Valley
6 – Ross Larson, Ankeny
6 – Jake Pauley, Valley
5 – Cody Bell, CR Kennedy
5 – Ryan Siems, Iowa City West
5 – Reid Bonner, Iowa City West
4 – Logan Ambrosy, CR Kennedy
4 – Tanner Hinkle, Valley
4 – Sam Edwards, Fort Dodge
4 – Nate Meyer, Valley
4 – Joel Lanning, Ankeny
4 – Devin Raffensperger, Iowa City West
4 – Brody Baumann, Valley
4 – Brent Jones, Ankeny
Stolen Bases
24 – Reid Bonner, Iowa City West
21 – Tanner Buenting, Ankeny
19 – Zach Coppola, Dowling Catholic
18 – Ezra Reiners, Iowa City West
16 – Derek Jacobus, CR Kennedy
13 – Wade Nash, Iowa City West
13 – Nolan Lodden, Valley
12 – Kevin Bogert, Linn-Mar
11 – Jacob Stacy, Dowling Catholic
10 – Will Gormally, Fort Dodge
10 – Tanner Hinkle, Valley
Most Pitching Wins
10 – Alex Hayden, CR Kennedy (10-2)
9 – Adam Lloyd, CR Kennedy (9-1)
9 – Tyler Vaughn, Fort Dodge (9-0)
9 – Nick Belzer, Ankeny (9-0)
9 – Andrew Clemen, Dowling Catholic (9-0)
8 – Nick Appleget, CR Kennedy (8-0)
8 – Nate Whitham, Valley (8-1)
7 – Nick Grimsman, Iowa City West (7-0)
7 – Nate Greve, Linn-Mar (7-3)
7 – Luke Crimmins, Iowa City West (7-0)
7 – Kellen Yoder, Iowa City West (7-0)
7 – Jake Stolley, Linn-Mar (7-1)
Most Innings Pitched
66.0 – Alex Hayden, CR Kennedy
63.0 – Nick Belzer, Ankeny
59.2 – Tyler Vaughn, Fort Dodge
57.1 – Luke Crimmins, Iowa City West
56.2 – Will Gormally, Fort Dodge
56.2 – Jake Stolley, Linn-Mar
56.0 – Bobby LaWarne, Dowling Catholic
55.2 – Zach Fries, Davenport North
55.2 – Nick Appleget, CR Kennedy
55.2 – Adam Lloyd, CR Kennedy
52.2 – Nate Whitham, Valley
50.0 – Sam Scott, Iowa City West
Lowest ERA (min. 35 IP)
0.70 – Austin Stephens, Valley (49.2 inn)
0.87 – Andrew Clemen, Dowling Catholic (40.1 inn)
1.06 – Alex Hayden, CR Kennedy (66 inn)
1.11 – Jake Stolley, Linn-Mar (56.2 inn)
1.22 – Nick Belzer, Ankeny (63 inn)
1.23 – Grant Otte, Dowling Catholic (40 inn)
1.29 – Jake Reinhardt, Dowling Catholic (43.1 inn)
1.34 – Nate Greve, Linn-Mar (41.2 inn)
1.63 – Bobby LaWarne, Dowling Catholic (56 inn)
1.64 – Ben Miller, Valley (42.2 inn)
1.66 – Joe Erickson, Dowling Catholic (46.1 inn)
1.72 – Kellen Yoder, Iowa City West (40.2 inn)
1.72 – Matt Johnson, Ankeny (44.2 inn)
1.89 – Nick Appleget, CR Kennedy (55.2 inn)
Most Strikeouts
86 – Nick Belzer, Ankeny
84 – Jake Stolley, Linn-Mar
82 – Nate Greve, Linn-Mar
77 – Alex Hayden, CR Kennedy
71 – Luke Crimmins, Iowa City West
62 – Justin Wyant, Linn-Mar
55 – Zach Fries, Davenport North
55 – Kellen Yoder, Iowa City West
55 – Bobby LaWarne, Dowling Catholic
55 – Austin Stephens, Valley
54 – Will Gormally, Fort Dodge
52 – Tyler Vaughn, Fort Dodge
52 – Nick Grimsman, Iowa City West
51- Keaton Blackford, Linn-Mar
Fewest Hits Allowed (min. 35 IP)
21 – Kellen Yoder, Iowa City West (40.2 inn)
25 – Andrew Clemen, Dowling Catholic (40.1 inn)
25 – JC Hatcher, Fort Dodge (40 inn)
26 – Austin Stephens, Valley (49.2 inn)
27 – Nate Greve, Linn-Mar (41.2 inn)
29 – Jake Reinhardt, Dowling Catholic (43.1 inn)
30 – Matt Johnson, Ankeny (44.2 inn)
33 – Grant Otte, Dowling Catholic (40 inn)
38 – Joe Erickson, Dowling Catholic (46.1 inn)
38 – Nick Belzer, Ankeny (63 inn)
41 – Keaton Blackford, Linn-Mar (42 inn)
42 – Bobby LaWarne, Dowling Catholic (56 inn)
42 – Justin Wyatt, Linn-Mar (53 inn)
42 – Nick Appleget, CR Kennedy (55.2 inn)
42 – Zach Fries, Davenport North (53.2 inn)
Statistics are available on Quikstats
Class 4A state tournament brackets
CLASS 4A STATE TOURNAMENT
AT PRINCIPAL PARK
Wednesday’s quarterfinals
Noon — Iowa City West (34-8) vs. West Des Moines Valley (33-9)
2 p.m. — Ankeny (40-2) vs. Davenport North (18-21)
6 p.m. — Cedar Rapids Kennedy (32-6) vs. Linn-Mar (29-11)
8 p.m. — Fort Dodge (34-7) vs. West Des Moines Dowling (32-10)
TOP SEEDS: 1. Ankeny; 2. Kennedy; 3. Fort Dodge; 4. West
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