AHSTW defeats CAM 9-5, advances to district championship

ANITA- For the second time in less than a week, AHSTW proved it had CAM’s number this time with the season on the line. 
The Vikings combined timely hitting, aggressive baserunning and a strong performance on the mound to defeat the Cougars 9-5 Wednesday night in a Class 1A District 15 semifinal, earning a trip to Saturday’s district championship against top-ranked Coon Rapids-Bayard. The winner will advance to the Class 1A substate final and move within one victory of a state tournament berth.
AHSTW finished with nine hits, drew six walks and took advantage of CAM miscues throughout the night while pitchers Camdyn Dresen and Kiptyn Lamp combined to limit the Cougars to just two earned runs.
Head coach Trey Brix credited his team’s ability to respond throughout the contest after CAM erased an early deficit. “I thought we played really good,” Brix said. “We jumped out to an early lead, 1-0, and then they tied it back up. We just continued to stay in it, played solid defense and threw strikes. Dresen threw a heck of a game and just continued to battle. When we got some pitches to drive, we made them count, and the guys on the base paths took some extra bags when we could. We needed every run. I can’t say enough about how proud I am of this group.” 
The middle of AHSTW’s lineup once again led the offense. Calvin Parker continued his hot postseason at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Cash Freeman finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs. 
Sage Blotzer added a hit and scored a run as the trio accounted for six of the Vikings’ nine hits.
Parker said a slight adjustment in his approach at the plate has made a difference during the postseason.
“I switched up a little bit how I felt at the plate and shortened up my stride and just swung at good pitches,” Parker said.
The senior said extending the season has made the win even more rewarding.
“It’s the furthest I’ve ever made it in the playoffs, and it’s the first time I’ve ever won a playoff game as a team in a long time,” Parker said. “It feels good, and it feels good to still be playing in July.”
Parker also said AHSTW’s 6-5 victory over CAM in the regular-season finale less than a week earlier gave the Vikings confidence entering Wednesday night’s rematch.
“Getting that win over them last week gave us confidence that we could beat them,” Parker said.
Dresen also made his presence felt offensively, reaching base twice with a hit and a walk while scoring a run before earning the victory on the mound. 
The right-hander pitched into the sixth inning, allowing just two earned runs while striking out six.
Lamp entered in relief and recorded the final four outs, allowing just one hit while striking out two to secure the win.
Brix said the Vikings never hesitated to turn to the freshman in a pressure-filled postseason situation. “We have a lot of confidence in Kip,” Brix said. 
“He’s not going to throw overly hard, but he mixes speeds well. We expect a lot out of him, and we have a ton of confidence in him.”
AHSTW also received contributions throughout the lineup. Kooper Krummel reached base twice, collected a hit and scored two runs, Taylen Hansen added a hit and scored once, Chase Wheatley crossed the plate twice after reaching base with a walk, and Lamp reached base twice on walks while scoring a run.
The Vikings’ patience at the plate proved to be a difference-maker as they consistently put runners on base and forced CAM’s pitchers to work. 
Although AHSTW committed a pair of defensive errors that resulted in three unearned runs, the Vikings answered with timely offense and aggressive baserunning to remain in control.
Brix said the previous meeting with CAM gave his players confidence, but they also understood improvements needed to be made.
“Last week’s win mattered because the guys knew they could beat them,” Brix said. 
“They also knew they needed to make some plays and hit the ball better than they did a week ago.”
The victory marked AHSTW’s second win over CAM in seven days and continued a season that has already surpassed expectations.
Following the game, Brix reminded his players to appreciate the opportunity still in front of them.
“I told the guys in the huddle afterward that there’s not many teams that get to go play on Saturday night, and we’re one of them,” Brix said. 
“To go from last year to this year with 15 wins and still be playing, you just can’t say enough about these guys. I think that’s the big thing about them—they’re a tight-knit group. They don’t want to be done, and they refuse to lose.”
That opportunity now comes against the state’s best.
AHSTW will travel to face top-ranked Coon Rapids-Bayard in Saturday night’s district championship. 
The winner advances to the Class 1A substate final and moves one victory away from a trip to the Iowa high school state baseball tournament.