When the playoffs start, the smallest of margins can mean the difference between moving on and your season coming to an end.
Davis County needed just one hit, a Dawson Townsend triple off the top of the fence in the first inning, and a passed ball on the next pitch for the Mustangs to score the only run of the game. Justin Matheney and Caron Maeder combined to toss a four-hitter in Davis County’s 1-0 win over Pella Christian Wednesday night in Bloomfield.
Pella Christian Bennett Spronk was sharp in defeat. The Townsend triple was the only hit he allowed in six innings. Spronk struck out 12 and walked three as he took the hard-luck loss.
Matheney retired the first nine batters he faced and stranded a pair of base runners in the fourth and fifth innings. However, a hit batter and a pair of walks loaded the bases with two outs for Pella Christian in the sixth inning. Maeder entered the game and struck out the next batter to preserve the lead. Maeder allowed a lead-off single in the seventh inning but then retired the next three batters to seal the win.
Davis County (21-11) advances to the District 13 final and will take on Centerville on Saturday night in Bloomfield.