Humboldt shocks Algona in 3A substate, 17-9
Humboldt senior Cyler Cirks pitched the final 2.1 innings for Humboldt and allowed no runs or hits in relief of starter Valley Davis, in the Wildcats' 5-4 victory over Clear Lake on Friday night, July 11, in a first round substate tournament game. Independent photo.
The Humboldt baseball team moved within one game of the Class 3A state tournament by shocking the Algona Bulldogs, 17-9 in a Class 3A Substate semifinal round game in Algona on July 14. The triumph improved the Wildcats to 27-6 overall. They will play Boone (22-9) on Wednesday night, July 16, in a 7 p.m. substate final in Boone.
Humboldt edges Clear Lake in substate opener, 5-4
Humboldt rallied from a 3-1 deficit to edge the Clear Lake Lions, 5-4 in a Class 3A substate first round tournament game played at Clarion on Friday night, July 11. The game was moved from Humboldt due to wet grounds. Clarion has a new facility with all synthetic for a playing surface. The victory advanced Humboldt into a semifinal round game at Algona on Monday, July 14, 7 p.m. Algona advanced with a 10-0 victory over Charles City earlier on Friday in a game that was moved to the Rogers Park synthetic surface in Fort Dodge.
The other half of the substate bracket had Boone (21-9) beating Hampton-Dumont-CAL, 5-1, and Waverly-Shell Rock (14-14) beating Webster City, 9-2. Boone shutout WSR 8-0 on Monday.
Humboldt senior Isaiah Busick, recovering from a hamstring injury, batted third and was the designated hitter. Busick hit a two-run double to left-centerfield to drive in Mason Van Pelt and Valley Davis, who reached on an error and walk, respectively, to the tie game at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Humboldt loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning when Van Pelt walked, Busick drew an intentional walk and Griffin Groat and Keegan Groat both walked which sent home Van Pelt for the go-ahead winning run. Van Pelt and Griffin Groat both had two hits in the game for the Wildcats.
Valley Davis and Cyler Cirks shared the pitching for Humboldt. Davis allowed six hits and struck out eight. Cirks threw 2.1 innings and allowed no hits, no runs, three strikeouts and no walks.
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