Comets’ bats come to life in 2nd game of DH against Decorah, but can’t prevent sweep

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

DECORAH — You can almost see a pattern forming.

For the fourth Northeast Iowa Conference baseball doubleheader in a row, the Charles City Comets managed to bounce back from a one-sided defeat in the first game with a more competitive effort in the second game.

In each of these nightcaps, the Comets were either on the brink of victory or threatening to tie or take the lead in the seventh inning only to have their opponents hold on for the sweeps.

Such was the scenario that played out during Charles City’s away DH at Decorah last Friday.

After the Vikings won the first game 15-0 with a 4-run rally stopping the contest in the bottom of the fourth, Decorah looked as if it was headed for another shortened win when it jumped out to an 8-2 lead through four innings in the second game.

But then the Comets’ bats came to life, collectively hitting the ball the hardest they have all season.

Freshman Ethan Hadley’s 2-RBI, two-out double in the fifth inning helped the Comets pull a little closer before the Vikings got the 2 runs back in their half of the frame.

But Charles City rallied for 2 more runs in the sixth, and after plating another run in the seventh with the bases loaded with just one out, the Comets had the tying run on base with the score standing at 10-7.

That proved to be the final score as the Vikings prevented the Comets from pulling any closer.

Senior Kaden Alstad was 3 for 3 with a pair of doubles and 2 runs scored; and sophomore Gavin Knutson was 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBIs in the second game for Decorah, which improved to 12-2 overall with the sweep while remaining undefeated (8-0) in the NEIC.

Junior Luke Jacobs went 3 for 3 — first three-hit game of his varsity career — and scored a run; junior leadoff hitter Vincent Benning was 2 for 3 with 3 runs scored; and sophomore Zachary Schoeck had an RBI double in the second game for Charles City.

The Comets’ offense was held in check in the first game as Vikings’ starting pitcher Mason Avila limited them to three hits in four innings while striking out five and walking one.

Schoeck had two of Charles City’s three hits.

The following day at the Saints Invitational hosted by Saint Ansgar, the Comets lost a pair of games against Class 1A ranked teams, falling to the No. 5-ranked Saints (11-1) and to the No. 8-ranked Kee (15-0).

The Comets fell to 0-14 overall after the Saints Invite, and 0-8 in the NEIC after the DH loss to the Vikings.

The Comets are scheduled to host New Hampton for another NEIC doubleheader, Tuesday at Comet Field.