New London’s Helmerson named All-Iowa baseball coach of the year

NEW LONDON — New London had its best baseball season in school history this year.

It’s only gotten better for the Tigers.

The Tigers put together a 31-1 record, an all-time school best, and won the Class 1A state championship after defeating No. 1 Remsen St. Mary’s 8-7 in nail biting fashion.

It’s tough to win a state title without athletes that trust one another and play together. Couple that with great coaching and you’ve got a recipe for success.

New London head coach Brad Helmerson was a huge part of that.

That is why Helmerson has been named the Des Moines Register’s 2022 All-Iowa baseball coach of the year.

While the Tiger’s celebrated their state championship, it also marked the celebration and end of a 14 year career for Helmerson.

In his 14 year stint with the Tigers, Helmerson amassed a 210-128 record.

For Helmerson, his goal was to build a program that was respectable. The wins and losses were great and all, maybe not the losses, but it was about life lessons and respecting the game and those involved.

Nine seniors, many of which took part in New London Little League, go out right along side Helmerson.

The collection of New London players and coaches did not disappoint.

New London won its first 23 games of the season. The first loss came from the first of a doubleheader against 2A Anamosa on July 1. It would be the only blemish of the season.

To start the post season, the Tigers defeated Pekin, Burlington Notre Dame and Moravia to earn a ticket to the state tournament.

In Carroll, they left no championship doubt.

The Tigers blistered through their first two opponents, defeating CAM, Anita 12-3 in the quarterfinal and following it up with a drugging of Newman Catholic in the semifinal 16-1.

St. Mary’s was the final test and they had the answers.

After being down 3-0 in the first inning, the Tigers blasted off an 8-1 scoring run and took an 8-4 lead all the way into the six inning. New London held off the Hawks late rally to secure the state title.

For Helmerson and the group of seniors, the ride has been everything they could have asked for.