The North Tama baseball team's Class of 2025 pose for a photo following their win over Easton Valley Tuesday night at J.L. Lister Field in Traer. From left, Kolt Knaack, Josh Dostal, Gavin Rausch, Tyrus Luker, and Chaz Hall. PHOTO COURTESY MARTY DOSTAL/FACEBOOK

Telegraph Note: This story will publish as part of postseason ball coverage in the Friday, July 18 print edition of the North Tama Telegraph. It is being published online now to coordinate with the Times-Republican’s schedule.

TRAER — North Tama senior left-hander Josh Dostal pitched a three-hit shutout and the Redhawks advanced to the Class 1A District 7 finals with a 2-0 triumph over Easton Valley on Tuesday night at J.L. Lister Field.

Dostal (7-2) scattered three singles and three walks over the complete-game performance, preventing the River Hawks (13-9) from ever advancing beyond second base. North Tama’s defense made no errors behind him to help make the offense’s two runs stand up.

The Redhawks nearly scored in their first at-bat, but a good defensive play thwarted the challenge. Kayler Morris led off with a single and took second when the throw to first was dropped. Two outs later, he was cut down trying to score on Kayvin Morris’s single to center field on a perfect throw by Callan Messerich.

Easton Valley’s defense couldn’t keep North Tama off the board, however, and the Redhawks scored solo runs in the second and third innings. Gavin Rausch reached on a one-out error in the second, stole second, took third on Bryce Dostal’s bunt single, and scored on a balk. Tyrus Luker reached on an infield single with two outs, but Easton Valley escaped the jam.

In the third, Kolt Knaack led off with an infield single and advanced to second on the errant throw to first. After Dostal walked, Kayvin Morris bunted both into scoring position, and Clayton Williams delivered an RBI single to left field.

Easton Valley pitcher Justin Weispfenning found a way out of the situation with no further damage, but Dostal made sure two runs was enough.

Weispfenning (4-2) struck out four, walked one and hit a batter in the loss, giving up just six singles.

North Tama advances to face No. 5 North Linn (24-3) in the District 7 final on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Troy Mills. The two teams met in the regular-season finale a week ago with the host Lynx prevailing 8-4.