By Bruce Thein

Clayton Ridge/Central’s baseball season came to an end July 7, as the WarEagles fell to the Starmont Stars 9-2 in a Class 1A Substate 4 tournament game. The Stars capitalized on timely hitting and defensive miscues to advance to the district final against South Winneshiek. The Stars finished with 12 hits while the WarEagles were limited to eight.

Dominique Mast and Carson Ruegnitz each came up with the bases loaded and managed to draw walks and be credited with the two RBIs for CRC. Senior Colton Hoeger led the offense with a 2-for-3 performance, scored a run and stole a base. Griffen Hammersland also had two hits, including a double, while Mason Loan, Seth Kregel, Mast and Owen Hammersland each added a hit.

Junior Owen Hammersland made the start on the mound, pitching four and two-thirds innings. He allowed 10 hits and seven runs, five earned, while striking out two and walking one. Griffen Hammersland worked one inning in relief, giving up two hits and one earned run. Kregel pitched to one batter and recorded a strikeout in his last appearance of his high school career.

The loss ends the WarEagles’ season with a 7-15 record. Although the year concluded with a substate defeat, the team closed the season by winning two of their final three games and gained valuable experience that should benefit a young roster moving forward.