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Knights take down Redhawks 4-3 in back-and-forth neighborhood battle

Union catcher Ryan Devries readies to tag North Tama’s Kolt Knaack (10) on a play at the plate during their game June 13 in La Porte City. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
Union runner Mays Weber beats out the throw to North Tama first baseman Josh Dostal on June 13 in La Porte City. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
Redhawk Gavin Rausch successfully evades the tag from Union catcher Ryan Devries in the third, putting North Tama ahead 1-0. Also pictured batter Josh Dostal (5) and pitcher Ethan Winnike, left. The Knights would go on the beat the Redhawks 4-3 in a walkoff. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
North Tama head coach Dan Kopriva pictured during the Union–North Tama junior varsity game which the Knights one 5-3. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
Union head coach Michael Bruns – who is also the district’s activities director – readies the infield between games on Tuesday, June 13 in La Porte City. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
Redhawks head coach Dan Kopriva (30) speaks with Knights head coach Michael Bruns during a pre-game meeting at home plate on June 13 in La Porte City. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
The North Tama Redhawks baseball removes their caps for the National Anthem ahead of taking on the Union Knights in La Porte City back on June 13. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
The Union Knights huddle up before taking their home field early in the game on June 13 against the North Tama Redhawks in La Porte City. The Knights beat the Redhawks 4-3 in the non-conference matchup.PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
North Tama’s Kolt Knaack gauges where an infield fly will end up while running bases early in the game against Union on June 13. Knaack stole one of four bases for the Redhawks against the Knights. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
Union’s Ty Lorenzen pictured at bat against North Tama on June 13. Lorenzen went 1-for-4 for the Knights, notching a single. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
North Tama pitcher Chaz Hall pictured on the mound against Union on June 13 in La Porte City. Hall took the loss for North Tama, allowing seven hits and two earned runs while striking out one. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
Union runner Ty Lorenzen pictured at second base on June 13 against the Redhawks. Lorenzen went 1-for-4 for the Knights, notching a single. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
Redhawk batter Josh Dostal bunts the ball against the Union Knights in La Porte City on June 13. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON
PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

LA PORTE CITY – Redhawk baseball didn’t have far to travel for last Tuesday’s June 13 road game as they took on the Knights in a non-conference battle in La Porte City. After seven innings of hot potato scoring, Union won 4-3 in a walkoff.

Following a scoreless first two innings, North Tama notched one run in the third following a pickoff attempt at third base, to which Union answered with its own run to tie the game in the bottom of the inning.

The teams played back and forth with the score for the final four innings with North Tama scoring one run in both the fourth and the sixth, while Union did the same in the fifth and the seventh to finally overtake the Redhawks 4-3 for their third win of the season.

Knight Sawyer Spence went 2-for-4 with two RBI singles, while Joe Bistline was 2-for-4 with two singles and one RBI. Ethan Winnike and Mason Mullen both had two hits as well for the Knights, while Ryan Devries and Ty Lorenzen each notched one hit apiece.

For the Redhawks, Kolt Knaack went 1-for-2 with two RBIs, while Josh Dostal was 1-for-4 with one RBI. Henry Hansen and Tyler Popelka both had one hit apiece for North Tama.

North Tama stole four bases total during the game; Union stole none.

Union pitcher Ethan Winnike started the game for the Knights, throwing two-and-a-third innings, allowing zero runs and zero walks, and striking out none. Pitcher Sawyer Spence stepped in as relief for Winnike in the third, allowing two hits, one run unearned, one walk, and striking out one.

Eighth-grader Gavin Frederiksen earned the win for the Knights, pitching four innings and allowing three hits, two runs — both unearned, and five walks, while striking out four.

Pitcher Chaz Hall took the loss for North Tama, allowing seven hits and two earned runs while striking out one.

Prior to the varsity game, Union’s JV won as well, 5-3.

Heading into the week of June 19, Union was 4-15 on the season, while North Tama was 8-8.