Historic ride ends for Pekin baseball

The Pekin varsity baseball team ended it's historic run to the schools' first ever appearance at the state tournament with an 8-7 loss to top-seeded Mason City Newman Catholic Friday afternoon at Principal Park in Des Moines.

The Panthers finish the season at 17-9 overall after winning the Class 1A distict-8 title with victories over Keota, Burlington-Notre Dame and Iowa Mennonite before claiming the substate-4 crown with an impressive 7-0 combined no-hit victory over No. 4 ranked Calamus-Wheatland.

Mason City Newman will now face No. 4 seeded Don Bosco, Gilbertville who defeated No. 5 Coon Rapids-Bayard 3-1 in the other Class 1A quarterfinal held Friday. Saturday, No. 2 Alburnett bested No. 7 South Winnishiek, Calmar and No. 6 St. Mary's, Remsen topped Martensdale-St. Mary's to advance to the second semifinal.

The championship will be held in Des Moines on August 3 at 11 a.m.