Iowa City High baseball advances to state tournament for second time in three years

While everyone loves a "Cinderella" story, the Iowa City Little Hawks baseball team was not letting Bettendorf or anyone stop them from making it to the ball ... or in this case the state tournament.

City High took down the Bulldogs 8-0 in the Class 4A Region 6 championship game Wednesday, advancing to the state tournament for the second time in three years.

"We have had a lot of challenges this year, but you wouldn't know because our kids have been resilient," Little Hawks coach Brian Mitchell said. "We have a great group of kids here who know how to compete and win. I am super proud of them."

Getting some rest has done the Little Hawks some good

After a 28-win regular season, City High earned the top seed in the bracket, which gave it a bye during the second round of the playoffs.

That allowed the Little Hawks five days to prepare for the Bulldogs, which could have been just as much of a curse as it turned out to be a blessing.

City High made sure it was the latter, seizing early momentum that Mitchell said helped set the tone for the game.

"That rest can really go both ways," Mitchell said. "Sometimes, you can come back a little out of sync. But Joey Bouska got us started in that first inning with a hit, which was really important. We know that if you do not score runs early, everyone gets a bit tight. So, with everyone coming out swinging it, and Cade (Obermueller) getting it done on the bump, it all worked out well."

That fast start carried over, with the Little Hawks registering at least one hit in each of their six innings at the plate.

Cade Obermueller is the real deal

Anyone who has not seen Little Hawks pitcher Cade Obermueller in person may not have understood why the ace is considered a potential selection in this year's MLB Draft.

More: Iowa City High senior Cade Obermueller may face dilemma: College baseball or go pro?

He showed why Wednesday, mastering the Bulldogs by allowing just two hits while striking out 11 in 6⅓ innings.

While questions continue to surround what path he will take once his high school career is over — he also has a scholarship offer to play at the University of Iowa — Obermueller said that all of his attention is on helping his team win a state championship.

"Nothing is getting in the way of me winning a state championship," Obermueller said. "This has been something that I have wanted since I was a kid. I am a Little Hawk all the way and I just want to win a state title with my team."

City High is ready to make history

As excited as the Little Hawks were to reach the state tournament again, they recognize that much work needs to be done before they can truly etch their name in history.

While City High's state trophy case is already pretty full, there is still space reserved for the baseball team to bring home a championship of its own.

"It would mean everything to us if we can win it all," Obermueller said. "It has been the number one goal for a lot of us since we were little kids. So, to be the first baseball team in school history to win a championship would be amazing."

When the Little Hawks step onto Duane Banks Field on Tuesday, the real work will begin as they start that quest for a long-awaited state title. Their first game is against Indianola at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City High baseball reaches state tourney with rout of Bettendorf