Here’s a look at the 32 Iowa high school state baseball tournament qualifiers. The Class 4A and 3A tournaments are at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids. Merchants Park in Carroll hosts the 2A and 1A brackets. Play begins Monday with the championship games in all four classes scheduled for Friday.
Class 4A state baseball tournament
Cedar Rapids Kennedy Cougars
Coach: Bret Hoyer
2024 Record: 33-4
Final ranking: No. 1
State history: 17th state appearance and first since 2015. Won 2010 title with runner-up finishes in 1969, 2002 and 2006.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Cougars defeated North Scott, 5-1, for the 4A Substate 5 title.
Notable performers: Nolan Grawe (57 hits, .514 BA, 53 RBIs, 14 HRs), Matthew Stoltenberg (43 hits, 13 doubles, 49 RBIs, .422 BA), Grant Mather (33 hits, 10 HRs, 30 RBIs, 10-1 record, 2.58 ERA, 73 strikeouts)
Iowa City High Little Hawks
Coach: Brian Mitchell
2024 Record: 33-7
Final ranking: No. 3
State history: Ninth appearance and third straight. Earned runner-up finishes in 1959, 1992 and 1995.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Little Hawks beat rival Iowa City West, 3-1, for the Substate 7 title.
Notable performers: Drake Obermueller (38 hits, 23 RBIs, .330 BA, .430 OBP), Jake Mitchell (36 hits, 28 runs, 10 doubles, .428 OBP), Jaxton Schroeder (38 hits, 29 runs, 21 RBIS, .392 BA, .524 OBP, 6-1, 1.94 ERA)
Dallas Center-Grimes Mustangs
Coach: Curt Castenson
2024 Record: 35-3
Final ranking: No. 2
State history: 10th appearance and second consecutive trip. Won a 3A state title in 2012 and was 2014 3A runner-up.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Mustangs shut out Sioux City East, 6-0, to win Substate 2.
Notable performers: Taitn Gray (48 hits, .545 BA, 36 runs, 38 RBIs, 13 HRs, 13 doubles), Keaton Fenn (9-1, 1.14 ERA, 103 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings)
Johnston Dragons
Coach: Michael Barta
2024 Record: 33-5
Final ranking: No. 4
State history: 22nd appearance and ninth in a row. Won titles in 2023, 2022, 2020, 2017, 2013, 2008 and 1977. Earned runner-up finishes in 1979, 1993, 2019 and 2021
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Dragons survived Cedar Falls, posting a 1-0 win in 13 innings for the Substate 3 title.
Notable performers: Tyne Weeden (42 hits, 44 runs, 11 doubles, 4 triples, 32 RBIs, .356 BA, .479 OBP), Adam Kayko (41 hits, 32 runs, 11 doubles, 37 RBIs, .369 BA, .481 OBP), Adrian Broadus (6-1, 2.07 ERA, 63 strikeouts), Cade Ogden (5-1, 0.89 ERA)
Waukee Northwest Wolves
Coach: Jeremy Heinen
2024 Record: 26-14
Final ranking: No. 8
State history: Second appearance, reaching the 2022 semifinals.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Wolves upset No. 6 Linn-Mar, 8-1, for the Substate 6 championship.
Notable performers: Brady Walton (41 hits, .402 BA, 28 runs), Tanner Jackson (36 hits, .319 BA, 36 RBIs, 14 doubles, 4 HRs), Chris Petersen (8-2, 1.90 ERA, 54 strikeouts)
Waukee Warriors
Coach: Dave Dirkx
2024 Record: 26-16
Final ranking: No. 10
State history: 10th appearance and first since 2022. Finished second in 2003.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Warriors slipped by Sioux City North, 1-0, for the Substate 1 crown.
Notable performers: Grant Sorensen (45 hits, .338 BA, 33 runs, 35 RBIs, 4 triples, 43 SB, 6-2, 1.25 ERA, 52 strikeouts), Gavin de Jesus (45 hits, .363 BA, .451 OBP, 24 runs), Braeden Billings (5-1, 2.28 ERA)
West Des Moines Dowling Maroons
Coach: Mark Roering
2024 Record: 23-15
Final ranking: Unranked (received votes)
State history: 23 rd appearance d fourth straight. Won titles in 2011, 2001, 1999, 1989 and 1988. Finished second in 1981, 2017 and 2022.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Maroons knocked off No. 5 Ankeny Centennial, 2-0, for the Substate 4 title.
Notable performers: Matthew Hanten (38 hits, .328 BA, .448 OBP), Dylan Webb (29 hits, 26 RBIs, 7 doubles), Trever Baumler (27 hits, 16 RBIs, .513 OBP, 5-2, 1.17 ERA, 78 strikeouts)
Pleasant Valley Spartans
Coach: Derek Stecklein
2024 Record: 20-17
Final ranking: Unranked
State history: Sixth state appearance and first since winning the 2021 title.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Spartans upset No. 9 Iowa City Liberty and No. 7 Davenport North to win 4A Substate 8. They outlasted the Lightning, 4-3, in 12 innings in the substate final.
Notable performers: Tyge Lyon (36 hits, .319 BA, 20 RBIs), Lincoln Dalton (33 hits, 25 RBIs, 8-1, 0.67 ERA, 81 strikeouts)
Class 3A state baseball tournament
Marion Wolves
Coach: Steve Fish
2024 Record: 31-5
Final ranking: No. 2
State history: Eighth appearance and second straight. Won 2021 championship.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Wolves dropped Gilbert, 3-0, for the Substate 6 title.
Notable performers: Isaiah Scott (47 hits, .423 BA, 60 runs, 31 RBIs, 10 doubles), Isaac Scott (46 hits, 35 RBIs, .400 BA, .470 OBP, 31 runs, 6-0, 1.63 ERA), Trey Franck (42 hits, 38 RBIs, 42 runs, 13 doubles, .420 BA, .565 OBP)
Center Point-Urbana Stormin’ Pointers
Coach: Tyler Smith
2024 Record: 29-8
Final ranking: Unranked (received votes)
State history: Third appearance and first since 2006
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Stormin’ Pointers toppled two-time defending state champion and No. 5 Western Dubuque, 4-2, for the Substate 3 championship.
Notable performers: Thomas Taylor (52 hits, 42 RBIs, .430 BA, .517 OBP), Bryer Wiley (43 hits, 15 doubles, 38 runs, .464 OBP, 6-2, 2.11 ERA, 72 strikeouts), Trevor Antes (35 hits, 22 runs, 27 RBIs, 5-0, 1.42 ERA)
Dubuque Wahlert Golden Eagles
Coach: Kory Tuescher
2024 Record: 33-9
Final ranking: No. 1
State history: 10th appearance and second straight. Runner-up in 2021.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Golden Eagles blanked Clear Creek Amana, 7-0, to win Substate 4.
Notable performers: Will Specht (50 hits, 47 runs, 10 doubles, 20 RBIs, .357 BA), Foti Rigopoulos (8-0, 2.25 ERA, 55 strikeouts, 41 hits, 30 RBIs, 34 runs, .465 OBP), Bode Nagelmaker (39 hits, 34 runs, 15 doubles, 30 RBIs)
North Polk Comets
Coach: Wyatt Zoske
2024 Record: 26-6
Final ranking: No. 3
State history: 15th appearance and second straight appearance. State runner-up in 2023, 2013, 2012, 2006 and 1998. Won state title in 2014.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Comets beat Algona, 4-3, for the Substate 2 title.
Notable performers: Isaac Zoske (41 hits, .432 BA, .487 OBP, 28 RBIs, 10 doubles), Drew Owen (41 hits, 34 runs, 12 doubles, 7 triples, .366 BA, 5-0, 1.83 ERA), Reece Wrage (10-1, 1.05 ERA, 85 strikeouts)
Sioux City Heelan Crusaders
Coach: Andy Osborne
2024 Record: 32-10
Final ranking: No. 4
State history: 20th appearance and first since 2019. Won titles in 2005 and 2001. Placed second in 1977.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Crusaders edged Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 8-7, for Substate championship.
Notable performers: Kaleb LaFavor (47 hits, 8 doubles, 41 RBIs, .379 BA, .455 OBP, 6-1, 1.65 ERA, 69 strikeouts), Jaron Bleeker (7-3, 1.33 ERA, 85 strikeouts), Hunter Wauhob (6-1, 1.51 ERA, 42 hits, 31 runs)
Pella Dutch
Coach: Jesse Jablonski
2024 Record: 27-9
Final ranking: No. 9
State history: Fifth appearance, qualifying in 2022. Runner-up in 1997.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Dutch beat No. 10 Grinnell, 4-1, for the Substate 7 crown.
Notable performers: Isaiah Kettler (52 hits, 40 runs, 17 doubles, 4 triples, 35 RBIs, .515 BA, .602 OBP), Teagan Hoekstra (31 hits, 8 doubles, 34 RBIs, .307 BA, 9-2, 1.75 ERA, 73 strikeouts), Nathan VandeLune (6-1, 1.11 ERA)
Harlan Cyclones
Coach: Heath Stein
2024 Record: 27-8
Final ranking: Unranked (received votes)
State history: 20th appearance and second straight. Won titles in 1996, 2003 and 2016. Runner-up in 2008, 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2018.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Cyclones thumped Council Bluffs Lewis Central, 10-0, to win Substate 8.
Notable performers: Quinn Koesters (38 hits, 30 runs, 23 RBIs, .355 BA, .458 OBP), Colton Schneider (36 hits, 10 doubles, 31 RBIs, .375 BA, .504 OBP), Brett Heese (34 hits, 29 runs, 9 doubles, 28 RBIs, .523 OBP), Braydon Ernst (8-3, 1.84 ERA, 50 strikeouts)
Central DeWitt Sabers
Coach: Shane Sikkema
2024 Record: 25-12
Final ranking: Unranked (received votes)
State history: Fifth appearance and first since 2021. Runner-up in 2019.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Sabers defeated No. 6 Davenport Assumption, 10-2, for Substate 5 crown.
Notable performers: Jacob Maher (53 hits, 19 doubles, 35 runs, 40 RBIs, .453 BA, .552 OBP), Wyatt Penniston (50 hits, 27 runs, 23 RBIs, .450 BA, .512 OBP), Kyle Bixby (46 hits, 16 doubles, 27 runs, 27 RBIs, .371 BA, 6-1, 2.00 ERA)
Class 2A state baseball tournament
Underwood Eagles
Coach: Andy Vanfossan
2024 Record: 27-2
Final ranking: No. 3
State history: Fourth appearance and second straight. Runner-up finish last season.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Eagles dropped No. 9 Clarinda, 3-0, for the Substate 8 title.
Notable performers: Garrett Luett (42 hits, 31 runs, 9 doubles, 30 RBIs, .477 BA, .561 OBP, 9-0, 0.55 ERA, 81 strikeouts), Jack Vanfossen (32 hits, 30 runs, 9 doubles, 26 RBIs, .405 BA, .533 OBP, 8-0, 0.60 ERA), Mason Boothby (7-0, 0.52 ERA, 55 strikeouts, 34 hits, 38 runs, 8 doubles, 23 RBIs, .358 BA)
New Hampton Chickasaws
Coach: Cory McDonald
2024 Record: 27-6
Final ranking: No. 6
State history: Third appearance and first since 2021.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Chickasaws beat Denver, 8-1, for the Substate 3 crown.
Notable performers: Braden McShane (51 hits, .531 BA, 33 runs, 43 RBIs, 13 doubles, 4 home runs, 4-1, 0.92 ERA, 56 strikeouts), Kael Meyers (43 hits, 41 runs, 11 doubles, 35 RBIs, .453 BA, .586 OBP, 10-0, 1.03 ERA, 107 strikeouts), Jaxon Eckley (37 hits, 36 runs, 10 doubles, .352 BA, .489 OBP)
Sumner-Fredericksburg Cougars
Coach: Tom Nuss
2024 Record: 23-4
Final ranking: No. 8
State history: Second appearance and first since 2009.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Cougars dropped Anamosa, 5-3, for the Substate 5 title.
Notable performers: Tatum Nuss (39 hits, 29 runs, 26 RBIs, .470 BA, .546 OBP, 3-0, 1.67 ERA), Jaymison Howard (35 hits, 32 runs, 20 RBIs, .432 BA, .562 OBP, 8-2, 1.33 ERA, 77 strikeouts), Rhys Land (7-1, 1.69 ERA, 42 strikeouts)
Chariton Chargers
Coach: Brady Trenary
2024 Record: 24-4
Final ranking: Unranked (received votes)
State history: Fourth appearance and first since 2013.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Chargers handled OABCIG, 10-1, for the Substate 7 championship.
Notable performers: Mason Smith (43 hits, 44 runs, 24 RBIs, .426 BA, .513 OBP), Kasyn Page (34 hits, 27 runs, 31 RBIs, .374 BA, .468 OBP, 5-0, 3.27 ERA), Jace Gwinn (5-0, 1.27 ERA)
Pleasantville Trojans
Coach: Sheldon Card
2024 Record: 23-10
Final ranking: Unranked
State history: Fourth appearance and first since 2016. Runner-up in 2015.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Trojans upended No. 2 Des Moines Christian, 2-0, for Substate 6 title.
Notable performers: Braylon Bingham (54 hits, 49 runs, 11 doubles, 25 RBIs, .500 BA, .578 OBP), J.J. Phillips (41 hits, 16 doubles, 38 RBIs, 29 runs, .466 BA, .519 OBP), Brayden Kennedy (8-2, 1.04 ERA, 74 strikeouts)
Wilton Beavers
Coach: Jake Souhrada
2024 Record: 21-10
Final ranking: Unranked
State history: Seventh appearance and first since 2018. Won titles in 2005 and 1993.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Beavers edged Cascade, 4-3, for the Substate 4 crown.
Notable performers: Cade Souhrada (31 hits, .356 BA, 8 doubles, 23 RBIs), Owen Hassell (37 hits, .378 BA, 14 doubles, 36 runs, 32 stolen bases), Ben Garvin (8-1, 1.69 ERA, 2 saves, 65 strikeouts), Landyn Putman (7-1, 1.47 ERA, 1 save, 55 strikeouts)
Aplington-Parkersburg Falcons
Coach: Brett Kleespies
2024 Record: 18-7
Final ranking: Unranked
State history: First appearance
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Falcons eked by Roland-Story, 2-1, for the Substate 2 championship.
Notable performers: Tate Neymeyer (34 hits, 22 runs, 7 doubles, .400 BA, .474 OBP), Devin Davis (23 hits, 10 doubles, 15 RBIs, 8-0, 1.62 ERA, 92 strikeouts), Cooper Hoff (4-0, 3 saves, 0.00 ERA)
Unity Christian Knights
Coach: Skyler Wheeler
2024 Record: 25-11
Final ranking: Unranked
State history: Third appearance, qualifying in 2021 and 2002.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Knights upset No. 7 Estherville-Lincoln Central, 3-2, for Substate 1 title.
Notable performers: Braeden Bosma (48 hits, 38 runs, 7 triples, 28 RBIs, .417 BA, .518 OBP, 5-2, 1.55 ERA, 66 strikeouts), Dylan Bosma (34 hits, 7 doubles, 31 runs, 27 RBIs, 6-1, 2.30 ERA), Graden Van Essen (39 hits, 27 runs, 22 RBIs, .375 BA, .489 OBP)
Class 1A state baseball tournament
Sigourney Savages
Coach: Lee Crawford
2024 Record: 21-4
Final ranking: No. 8
State history: First appearance
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Savages downed No. 2 Burlington Notre Dame, 4-2, to claim Substate 6.
Notable performers: Caden Clarahan (38 hits, 6 HRs, 42 RBIs, .543 BA, .648 OBP, 6-2, 1.50 ERA, 68 strikeouts), Chase Clarahan (5-0, 3.05 ERA, 49 strikeouts), Jake Moore (31 hits, 30 runs, 22 RBIs), Isaac Bruns (29 hits, 9 doubles, 3 HRs, 34 RBIs)
North Linn Lynx
Coach: Travis Griffith
2024 Record: 24-8
Final ranking: Unranked (received votes)
State history: Seventh appearance and sixth in last eight years. Runner-up in 2019.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Lynx avenged a loss to No. 7 Wapsie Valley with a 4-2 win in 10 innings in the Substate 5 final.
Notable performers: Cole Griffith (41 runs, 45 hits, 8 doubles, 29 RBIs, 33 stolen bases, .402 BA, 7-1, 0.87 ERA, 54 strikeouts), Mason Bechen (44 runs, 34 hits, 7 doubles, 5 triples, 21 walks, 33 stolen bases, 31 RBIs, .442 BA, .585 OBP), Cael Benesh (39 hits, 8 doubles, 41 RBIs, .368 BA, .417 OBP)
South Winneshiek Warriors
Coach: Alex Smith
2024 Record: 24-9
Final ranking: Unranked
State history: Sixth appearance and third straight.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Warriors beat No. 10 Don Bosco, 5-3, for the Substate 4 crown.
Notable performers: Carson Streeter (39 runs, 36 hits, 8 doubles, 33 RBIs, .334 BA, 7-3, 1.28 ERA, 87 strikeouts), Kole Hageman (26 hits, 23 runs, 14 RBIs, 7-0, 0.82 ERA, 47 strikeouts), Braiden Todd (40 runs, 46 hits, 8 doubles, 21 RBIs, .495 BA, .592 OBP, 3-2, 3.80 ERA, 53 strikeouts)
Akron-Westfield Westerners
Coach: Gordon Johnson
2024 Record: 27-3
Final ranking: No. 1
State history: Second appearance and first since 2017.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Westerners trounced Kingsley-Pierson, 13-0, for the Substate 1 title.
Notable performers: Kasey Nielsen (35 hits, 9 doubles, 22 RBIs, .393 BA.486 OBP), Jack Terpstra (33 hits, 24 runs, 8 doubles, 5 HRs, 35 RBIs, .359 BA), Nathan Gaswint (9-2, 1.12 ERA, 90 strikeouts)
Mason City Newman Knights
Coach: Alex Bohl
2024 Record: 31-5
Final ranking: No. 3
State history: 26th appearance and second in three seasons. Won titles in 1998, 2002, 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2017-19. Runner-up in 1967, 2004, 2012, 2014 and 2020.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Knights defeated No. 9 Algona Garrigan, 10-3, for the Substate 3 crown.
Notable performers: Malachi O’Brien (44 hits, 32 runs, 8 doubles, 32 RBIs, .370 BA, 8-1, 0.59 ERA, 79 strikeouts), Toby Kesten (31 hits, 30 runs, 37 RBIs, .512 OBP, 5-2, 1.01 ERA, 72 strikeouts), Andrew Fitzsimmons (34 hits, 22 runs, 23 RBIs, .382 BA, .505 OBP, 6-2, 0.86 ERA)
Remsen St. Mary’s Hawks
Coach: Dean Harpenau
2024 Record: 23-4
Final ranking: No. 4
State history: 17th appearance and ninth in a row. Won championships in 2023, 2016, 1983-85. Runner-up finishes in 2007, 2010 and 2022
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Hawks blanked Coon Rapids-Bayard, 8-0, to win Substate 2.
Notable performers: Daenon Loucks (40 hits, 36 runs, 13 doubles, 23 RBIs, .460 BA, .557 OBP, 6-0, 1.91 ERA), Collin Homan (.429 BA, .563 OBP, 40 RBIs, 30 hits, 22 runs, 7-1, 1.89 ERA, 82 strikeouts), Landon Waldschmitt (6-1, 2.13 ERA, 55 strikeouts)
Lynnville-Sully Hawks
Coach: Scott Alberts
2024 Record: 26-3
Final ranking: No. 5
State history: Sixth appearance and second straight. Won a title in 1988. Runner-up finish in 1990.
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Hawks edged Ankeny Christian, 1-0, in the Substate 7 final.
Notable performers: Corder Noun Harder (45 hits, 41 runs, 8 doubles, 5 triples, 7 HRs, 26 RBIs, .570 BA, .667 OBP), Carson Maston (41 hits, 11 doubles, 28 RBIs, .451 BA, 8-0, 1.14 ERA82 strikeouts), Lucas Sieck (10-1, 1.30 ERA, 83 strikeouts, 25 RBIs, 34 hits, 9 doubles, .467 OBP)
Bedford Bulldogs
Coach: Jason Bucher
2024 Record: 20-10
Final ranking: Unranked
State history: First appearance
Road to Cedar Rapids: The Bulldogs beat Tri-Center, 7-4, for the Substate 8 championship.
Notable performers: Izaak Dukes (40 hits, 7 doubles, 31 RBIs, 21 runs, .435 BA, .513 OBP), Brody King (34 hits, 9 doubles, 31 RBIs, 26 runs, .466 OBP), Tim Rogers (7-2, 2.31 ERA, .155 opponents’ batting average)
Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com
