Arbogast anchors Cardinal to 1-0 victory

EDDYVILLE - All the Cardinal offense needed was one run to get past Davis County in their Class 2A district semifinal game on Tuesday night. Jentry Arbogast pitched a four-hit shutout to help the Comets to a 1-0 win, and a date in the district final on Saturday.

The game sat at a scoreless tie until the botom of the third inning. Cardinal catcher Peyton Johnson reached base and scored on a fielding error to give the Comets a 1-0 lead, and that's where it would stay all night long.

Cardinal collected five hits throughout the night. Maddux Jones went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. Johnson was 1-for-3 with a single and a run, and both Arbogast and Landon Becker went 1-for-3 with a single.

Arbogast threw 90 pitches in the win. Along with Davis County's four hits, the Mustangs reached base once on a hit-by-pitch. Arbogast struck out seven Mustangs on the night.

It was Cardinal's second-straight shutout victory this postseason. The Comets shut down Pella Christian 2-0 on a one-hit shutout by Landon Becker.

The win sets up a big test for the Comets on Saturday, when they take on Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont on EBF's home field. The Rockets scored double digits in an 11-1 thumping of Albia.

Cardinal will come into that district final as hot as anyone around. The Comets are now 9-3 after winning eight-straight games.

The winner of Saturday's showdown wil advance to the substate final on Tuesday, where they will play for a state tournament berth.