Panther baseball looks for offense

Creston senior Brayden Schoon connects for a line single to center field against Van Meter. Schoon was 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles.

VAN METER — Van Meter had only a 7-6 advantage in hits, but made the most of its opportunities to take a 9-1 victory over the Creston baseball team Wednesday night.

Senior Cason Peterson pitched six solid innings for Van Meter, ranked third in Class 2A with a 22-8 record after Wednesday’s victory.

Creston’s offensive slump continued Thursday afternoon in an 8-3 loss at Clarinda to close out the Hawkeye Ten Conference season in a tie for third place at 11-9, falling to 16-14 overall. The Panthers scored three or fewer runs three times in going 0-4 for the week.

“Clarinda had a five-run sixth and we hit about like we had all week,” Creston coach Brandon Phipps said. “Hopefully, the Fourth of July break can give them a good reset for a post-season push.”

Creston freshman Brady McDonald delivers a pitch against Class 2A third-ranked Van Meter Wednesday night. McDonald pitched 5 2/3 innings in the 9-1 loss that included four unearned runs.

Creston closes the regular season Tuesday at Indianola (26-5) and Wednesday at Saydel (22-6) before hosting Clarke (10-19) to open Class 3A district play on Friday.

Creston freshman Brady McDonald worked in a good battle with the state-ranked Bluejays, trailing 2-1 until Van Meter struck for three runs in the third inning. McDonald then hurled two straight shutout innings until starting Van Meter’s four-run sixth with allowing two singles and a walk. Rhett Driskell got the final out in relief of McDonald.

“Brady was a highlight for us tonight, for sure,” Phipps said. “Non-conference is always good to get guys like that up on the mound and get some experience. In that last inning he just started missing a little and the top of their order was coming up for the fourth time.”

Peterson improved to 5-2 for the season for Van Meter, compiling six strikeouts and only one base on balls.

Creston second baseman Logan Stehr throws to first base after fielding a ground ball against Van Meter.

“He was pretty good and we were rolling over a little bit on the off-speed stuff,” Phipps said, noting the high number of ground ball outs struck by the Panthers. “We definitely hit better than the other night against St. Albert. But we still have to be a better team offensively.”

Van Meter left fielder Jay Haley, one of several Bluejay seniors honored before the game, lived in Creston until moving to Van Meter in eighth grade. Haley is also one of the primary pitchers for Van Meter.

Conference finale

Van Meter's Jay Haley connects with a bunt against Creston. Haley attended Creston schools until eighth grade.

The hitting slump continued in Thursday’s 8-3 loss at Clarinda. Freshman Baylor Hash, making his third appearance of the season, and sophomore Creighton Bird making his varsity debut, combined to pitch a one-hitter against the Panthers. Tanner Ray’s double was Creston’s lone hit.

Senior Parker Varner took the loss, touched for 12 hits and six runs before Landyn Scherer relieved him during Clarinda’s five-run sixth to get the final two outs. In all, Clarinda had 15 hits led by Cooper Phillips going 3-for-4. Kort Neal hit two doubles.

Creston third baseman Parker Varner receives a throw as a Van Meter baserunner tries to advance.

Lewis Central ended as conference champion at 19-1 and Harlan is second at 16-2. Creston and Kuemper Catholic tied for third at 11-9.

Van Meter 9, Creston 1

Creston pitching: Brady McDonald 1K 3BB, Rhett Driskell (6) 0K 1BB. Van Meter pitching: Cason Peterson 6K 1BB, Danny Wiebelhaus (7) 0K 0BB. W — Peterson. L— McDonald. 2B — Cr: Brayden Schoon (2). VM: Cole Moore. RBI — VM: Peterson 2, Jay Haley 1, Austin Strong 1, Gabe Jones 1. Multiple hitters — Cr: Schoon 3. VM: Moore 2, Strong 2.

Clarinda 8, Creston 3

Creston pitching: Parker Varner 5K 2BB, Landyn Scherer (6) 0K 0BB. Clarinda pitching: Baylor Hash 1K 4BB, Creighton Bird (3) 4K 1BB. W — Bird. L— Varner. 2B — Cr: Tanner Ray. Cl: Kort Neal (2), Cooper Phillips. RBI — Cr: Varner 1, Tom Mikkelsen 1, Brady McDonald 1. Cl: Neal 3, R. Wagoner 2, Phillips 1, K. Wagoner 1. Multiple hitters — Cl: Phillips 3, R. Wagoner 2, Jordan Butt 2, Neal 2.

Larry Peterson

LARRY PETERSON

Former senior feature writer at Creston News Advertiser and columnist. Previous positions include sports editor for many years and assistant editor. Also a middle school basketball coach in Creston.