Jayce Schwiesow leads Saint Ansgar past MSM in the 1A state baseball title game

CARROLL — Saint Ansgar was ready to end a championship drought.

The school had not won a high school boys state title since 2011, but that changed on July 25 when the Saint baseball team captured its first state championship with a 4-2 victory over Martensdale St. Marys in the Class 1A state championship game at Merchants Park.

"It's something that we have a community have been working for," said Saint Ansgar pitcher Jayce Schwiesow. "It's been a long time. Having that state championship — it's big."

Schwiesow was not overpowering, but he did his job. The Saint ace fired a two-hitter with four strikeouts and three walks.

The only run he gave up came in the top of the third inning when Trey Wight hit a two-out triple to left field, and Cale Morrow drove him in with an RBI single.

Other than that, he was on point in holding the Blue Devils without a hit in any of the other six innings.

"I don't think I had that many strikeouts tonight," Schwiesow said. "I knew I had (my defense) behind my back and they made plays. That last inning just shows."

The top of the seventh saw Saint Ansgar step up with three big plays in the field to end the game. Zade Schell made a leaping catch at second base to rob MSM's Jack Gavin of a hit. Anthony Schnable made a diving catch in center field to take away a potential extra-base hit from the Blue Devils' Jason Fugate. Schell made another play at second to retire Brady Baker for the final out of the game.

Saint Ansgar provided Schwiesow with all the run support he needed during the first two innings.

The Saints scored twice in each of the first two frames. Ryker Hoffman and Porter Schwiesow each had an RBI single in the first inning. Saint Ansgar led off the second with three consecutive hits, leading to two more runs when Gus Walk drew a free pass with the bases loaded and Schnable scored on a wild pitch.

"People have been saying we can't hit the ball and that we've been small ball," Jayce Schwiesow said. "I think it showed tonight. We all had good at-bats, and we battled at the plate. Putting the ball in play is what works, and they found some holes."

Saint Ansgar finished its championship season at 24-7.

MSM ended its first trip to the state tournament since 2020 at 32-6. After rallying from 8-2 down during their 18-8 semifinal win over Hillcrest Academy, the Blue Devils had faith they could come back from their early deficit, but it was not to be.

"Being down 4-0, we weren't frantic," said MSM coach Jon Fitzpatrick. "Unfortunately, Jayce was really good on the other side." 

The Blue Devils could get nothing going on offense after the third inning. They only had two base runners over the final four innings. 

"I thought we competed hard," Fitzpatrick said. "I thought Travis (White) threw outstanding; I think they had one base hit that went out of the infield. They just came up with a couple of timely ones when they needed them." 

Travis White went all six innings as the losing pitcher. He did not give up a hit after the first two innings, and he finished with six strikeouts and three walks. 

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Saint Ansgar claims state baseball title over Martensdale St. Marys