Cedar Rapids – The Mustangs were lacking offense tonight in the most important game of the year against the Dowling Catholic Maroons. Trevor Baumler was fantastic for Dowling striking out six and only allowing two hits and walking two in 5.2 innings pitched. Keaton Fenn was on the bump for the Mustangs and pitched well also, it was his control and command that wasn’t where it was all year.

He allowed two triples in the first two innings but wiggled around them both. It was a hit and three consecutive walks to get the first run of the game home for the Maroons. That was the case again in the sixth. Fenn had been replaced by that point by Ty Mikkelsen and he was struggling a little as well. Lincoln Harris came in to replace Mikkelsen and then gave up a line drive base hit from Trevor Baumler pushing everybody up 90 feet. A clutch 4-6-3 double play turned by Bandy and Mikkelsen, back at short, ended the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth Mikkelsen came to the plate and walked with two outs just trying to respond. The fearsome Taitn Gray walking up the the plate already 0-2. Mikkelsen took his leadoff steps and when he looked down, Jack Barrett threw over to pick him off. This turned out to be huge because in the bottom of the seventh Gray launched a home run, way gone, to make it 3-1 Maroons. That would be the final score even though Eli Rupp walked with two outs. DCG will lose for the second time in a row to Dowling in state quarter final action.

Dowling Catholic will play in the semi’s on Thursday back in Cedar Rapids.