CLARION — Reece Blaisdell’s brilliance and an early surge at the plate were more than enough to push Class 2A No. 2 Roland-Story past Pocahontas Area and into the state baseball tournament.
Blaisdell threw a complete-game shutout as Roland-Story cruised to a 4-0 victory over Pocahontas Area in the 2A Substate 2 championship game on July 14.
“We expected it,” said Blaisdell. “We’re going to continue this run and see what’s in Carroll.”
Blaisdell only gave up five hits and one walk during the game. He finished with eight strikeouts in an impressive big-game outing for a young hurler who is only a sophomore.
“This is what I play for,” Blaisdell said. “I love it.”
Blaisdell gave the Pocahontas Area lineup constant fits with his ability to hit the fastball on the outside corner. As a result, he did not need to use many pitches to keep the Indians off the scoreboard.
Pocahontas Area only had one hit over the first four innings.
The Indians put together a small threat in the top of the fifth when Adam Marsh was hit by a pitch and Xander Small singled to left to start the inning. But Blaisdell struck out Brayden Hudson, forced Gabe Halligan to fly out to Norse second baseman Jake Knoll in shallow right field and then caught Blake Shimon looking on another strikeout to get out of the inning unscathed.
The Indians mounted another rally in the sixth when Isaiah Dolan drew the only walk by either team and Coen Hamman singled to right to put runners on first and second with just one out. But Blaisdell forced the next two batters to hit pop ups.
In the top of the seventh Blaisdell slammed the door shut on the Indians all on his own by striking out the side.
“Every time I go on the mound I just try to go after everyone,” Blaisdell said. “Stay aggressive and try not to let anyone on base. I didn’t have to use much off-speed — (my) fastball was definitely working.”
Roland-Story’s deep lineup was also on display during the game.
Braden Wallace, the team’s No. 5 hitter, was the star offensive player of the game after hitting a two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the first. He later added another single in the bottom of the third.
“No matter where I’m at in the lineup, if people are on my goal is to get them in,” said Wallace. “Just try to keep a simple approach.”
Ayden Frey doubled and scored on a grounder from Jake Knoll in the third inning to account for Roland-Story’s third run. The final Norse run came in the bottom of the sixth when Derek Acevedo was hit by a pitch, stole second, moved to third on a single from Gavin Jeter and then stole home on a double steal.
Colin Willis ended the night with three singles. Frey, Jeter and Cooper Triggs each had one hit apiece.
The victory sends Roland-Story to state for the first time since 2015. The Norsemen will take a 37-3 record into Carroll next week.
“It’s a really good feeling to be back,” said Roland-Story coach Chris Hill. “It’s hard in baseball. I’ve said that over and over and over. It’s just really hard to make it. These guys have put in a ton of work, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Roland-Story takes an impressive 37-3 record into state. The Norsemen will be the No. 2 seed in 2A, and they open against No. 7 seed Durant (22-9) at 1:30 p.m. on July 21 at Merchants Park in Carroll.
“They’re all going to be good teams,” Hill said. “You’re one of eight — out of 96. They’re all going to be looking to win three more games, so we’ve got to battle, stay within ourselves, and play our game.”
Pocahontas Area finished 19-12. Marsh was the losing pitcher after giving up three runs on six hits with one strikeout and no walks in 3 1/3 innings.
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Reece Blaidsell’s brilliant outing sends Roland-Story to state
