North Tama’s Gabe Kopriva – the Iowa Star Conference South Division’s MVP for the second season in a row – pictured on the mound at J.L. Lister Field in Traer back on May 20 during the Redhawks’ win, 8-1, over BCLUW. –Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

North Tama senior Gabe Kopriva has been honored as the Iowa Star Conference South Division’s Most Valuable Player for the second summer in a row after a sterling season as an infielder and pitcher.

Kopriva was North Tama’s leading hitter with a .433 batting average and 39 hits. He drove in 13 runs and scored 36 runs, stealing 46 bases on 47 attempts — good enough for second in Class 1A.

As a pitcher, Kopriva made 11 appearances and went 5-2 with a 1.67 earned run average and a 1.11 WHIP. In 58 2/3 innings of work he allowed just 40 hits and 34 runs (only 14 of which were earned) while striking out 69 batters. Kopriva was an all-conference first-teamer each of the last seasons and was a second-teamer in 2019.

Kopriva was one of four North Tama players to receive first team all-conference honors, and head coach Dan Kopriva was named the division’s Coach of the Year after the Redhawks went 10-3 to win the Iowa Star South.

Devin McKinley was named as a first-team pitcher after a season in which the senior had a 2.98 ERA in 51 2/3 innings of work. McKinley allowed 47 hits, 37 runs (22 earned) and 36 walks. He struck out 63 opposing batters.

North Tama’s Devin McKinley – recently named an Iowa Star Conference South Division first-team pitcher – is pictured on June 22 in Dunkerton during the Redhawks’ win, 15-1, over the Raiders. McKinley struck out nine Dunkerton batters that night. –Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

At the plate, McKinley had a .217 average and 18 hits, driving in nine runs.

Freshman Kolt Knaack hit .300 at the plate with 24 hits and 18 RBIs, reaching base via walks 18 times and scoring 18 runs.

Junior Michael Schrier led the Redhawks with 22 RBIs and batted .333 to cement his place as a key figure for the Redhawks. Schrier had 28 hits and scored 21 times.

Senior infielder Logan Rausch earned second-team honors. Hitting .274 with nine RBIs and scoring 22 runs, adding in 13 stolen bases.

Senior Adam Greiner was an honorable mention after batting .279 and reaching base via walks 20 times.

North Tama sophomore Kinsley Even – an Iowa Star-South second team pick this season – runs off the field in Dunkerton after safely crossing home during the Redhawks’ win, 30-9, over the Raiders on June 22. Even had four hits, scored five runs, and knocked in four batters against Dunkerton. –Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Redhawks softball honors

North Tama sophomore softball players Kinsley Even and Larissa Morrison were named to the Iowa Star Conference’s all-South Division second team this season.

North Tama had a difficult but productive season – notching just two wins but managing to break a 48-game losing streak that spanned three seasons in the process.

Even was an infielder for the Redhawks and the team’s leading batter with a .364 average at the plate. She collected 16 hits, including two triples, and drove in nine runs.

Morrison was an outfielder and hit .262 with 11 hits and seven RBIs over the course of the season.

North Tama centerfielder Larissa Morrison – an Iowa Star-South second team pick this season – throws the ball to second base after fielding a line drive on June 9 against Vinton-Shellsburg. –Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Sophomore Lydia Taylor was also recognized by earning honorable mention for North Tama – hitting .263 while scoring a team-high 12 runs.