Late season losses to Sidney and East Mills ruined the chances for a Corner Conference title for the Nishnabotna Blue Devils. Tuesday's result more than made up for that disappointment.
After his team's win in the sub-state game at Council Bluffs Tuesday, Coach Luke Stockstell summed up the reason for the Blue Devils positive outlook.
"We're going to state," Stockstell said.
After exercising the demons of late regular season losses by topping Sidney and East Mills in district play, the Blue Devils sought to knock off St. Albert on its home field Tuesday at sub state, something that few baseball observers game them a chance to accomplish.
Six and one-half innings of baseball breezed past on Tuesday without a run being scored.
Kaleb Kahue opened the bottom of the seventh inning by reaching second base on a fielding error.
The Blue Devil squad, which was the home team on Tuesday's scoreboard, would then load the bases and set the stage for an improbable hero.
Manny Martinez, who had struck out on two prior plate appearances, delivered.
His hit sent Kahue across home plate and began a celebration that will probably continue well into Wednesday.
With the win, the Blue Devils advance to play in the Iowa State Baseball Championships in Des Moines. Class 1A action gets underway on the Iowa Cubs field in downtown Des Moines Friday and Saturday.
Check back during the day Wednesday for more updates including the schedule for state as it becomes available.
