North Tama first baseman Josh Dostal pictured on May 15 at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo during the Redhawks season opener against the English Valleys Bears. Dostal notched six outs over the Bears. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTY DOSTAL

WATERLOO – Redhawk baseball opened the season with a win in Waterloo at Riverfront Stadium on Monday, May 15, beating non-conference foe the English Valleys Bears 14-4.

North Tama brought in a dozen of its runs in the fourth inning alone. In 26 turns at bat, the Redhawks notched 11 hits and eight walks including two doubles from Kolt Knaack and one double from Henry Hansen.

The Redhawks stole five bases with Henry Hansen stealing two, and Ryan Hosek, Kayler Morris, and Gavin Rausch each stealing one apiece.

Tyler Popelka pitched the entire game for the Redhawks, striking out seven players, walking two, and allowing five runs.

North Tama’s JV team also beat the Bears that same night, winning 15-1.

The following Wednesday, May 17, the Redhawks faced Gladbrook-Reinbeck on the road, dropping to the Rebels 6-0.

Sophomore Josh Dostal pitched five innings for the Redhawks against the Rebels – striking out three players, walking three, and allowing four runs. Henry Hansen pitched one inning – striking out 2, walking three, and allowing two runs.

North Tama (1-1) was set to play three conference games this week including Collins-Maxwell on Monday, May 22, in their home debut, followed by Baxter on Wednesday in a road game, and GMG on Friday back home at JL Lister Field.