Trojans outlast Newton Cardinals

The South Tama Trojans pile out of the dugout to celebrate after defeating Newton 4-3 in extra innings on Tuesday, July 11. Chronicle Photos/Allison Graham
South Tama defeated Newton 4-3 on Tuesday thanks to a walk-off single by sophomore Jackson Beltz. The Trojans hosted Newton for a non-conference contest on Tuesday, July 11 for the last game of the regular season for South Tama.
The Trojans were really looking for a win as they have struggled throughout the season. With the exception of a win over East Marshall on July 5 STC had gone since June 1 without a win. It made last Tuesday’s win that much sweeter. After Beltz sailed a hit out to left field which was dropped, Cael Kellogg touched the home plate and the Trojans came out of the dugout jumping and hollering in well deserved excitement.
Newton had captured the lead in the first inning after an error scored one run for the Cardinals. They held that lead until the Trojans tied it up in the bottom of the fourth inning.
South Tama evened things up at two in the bottom of the third inning. The Trojans scored one run on a stolen base to tie the score 3-3.
South Tama’s lone senior, Jonah Bearden, earned the win for the Trojans. He pitched four innings, allowing zero runs, zero hits, striking out two, and walking one.

Cael Kellogg catches a pitch.
Trevor Ergenbright took the loss for Newton. He went six and two-thirds innings, allowing one run, four hits, and striking out four.
Logan Wolfe started the game for Newton. He pitched three innings, giving up three runs, two hits, and striking out three. Cam Klostermann started the game for South Tama. He tossed three innings, allowing two runs, four hits, striking out one, and walking one.
Jackson Beltz and Carter Kriegel each drove in one run to lead the Trojans.
“Great way to end the regular season. Game had a tournament atmosphere to it which helps us going into the first round of districts. Outstanding pitching performance from Cam Klostermann, Kaiden Buffalo, and Jonah Bearden. Some timely hitting from Cael Kellogg and Jackson Beltz in the 10th inning to get the win,” said Coach Seth Koch.
STC vs. Vinton

Lane Koch chases down a Newton between second and third base runner for an out.
District game
The Trojans travelled to Vinton on Friday, July 14 for the first round of Districts. South Tama faced some tough competition as the Vikings are the third ranked team in Class 3A.
Vinton got the lead in the first innings off a sac fly by Nathan Struve which scored one run for the Vikings.
Struve took the win for Vinton. He went four innings allowing one run, one hit and striking out seven. Carter Kriegel took the loss for the Trojans. He threw for three innings giving up six runs, six hits and struck out six.
Leading the Trojans offensively was Lane Koch who went 2-4 at the plate. Koch batted in two runs.

Jackson Beltz fouls off before nailing the game winning hit to left field.
The Vikings ended the night with 11 hits. Jared Thompson led the Vikings from the plate with three hits. The final score was Vinton 12, South Tama 3.
The Trojans closed out the season 6-29 and with just one senior, Jonah Bearden, graduated they look to return much of their roster for the 2018 baseball season.
- Cael Kellogg catches a pitch.
- Lane Koch chases down a Newton between second and third base runner for an out.
- Jackson Beltz fouls off before nailing the game winning hit to left field.
- Jonah Bearden throws crucial pitches for the Trojans during extra innings.

Jonah Bearden throws crucial pitches for the Trojans during extra innings.