No. 3 New London 1 win away from state

NEW LONDON — No. 3 New London's quest for the Class 1A state baseball tournament is nearly complete.

Their final test is none other than the Mohawks of Moravia (21-6), who they will battle with on Tuesday in Ottumwa.

A win would mark the Tigers return to the state tournament for the second year in a row.

After losing in the quarterfinals last season, the Tigers are looking to top that performance.

In last years quarterfinals matchup, the Tigers were bested by Kee in a heartbreaking 4-3 loss. New London has already got the best of the No. 4 Kee Hawks this season with a 10-0 win.

New London lost just one starter from last years tournament team and they haven’t missed a beat this season. The Tigers have amassed a total of 27 wins this season so far and have suffered just one loss, coming from the hands of 2A Anamosa.

Throughout the regular season and their two postseason games thus far — which includes a 6-2 victory over Pekin and a 5-0 win against Notre Dame — the Tigers have been virtually untouchable.

The Tigers have been dominant from the hill this season, allowing just 112 hits (four per game) in their 28 games. The slew of New London pitchers have struck-out 183 batters and are holding opponents to a batting average of .171.

New London ace Dereck Santiago (0.47 ERA) wont be on the mound Tuesday due to pitch count, but the Tigers are in good hands as the other Tiger pitchers all have a sub 2.30 ERA.

Starters include, Seth Bailey (0.83 ERA), Brenden Richey (1.93), Carter Allen (2.17) and Josh Catala (2.28).

When is comes to closing, the Tigers have one of the best in the state. Kooper Schulte has closed a total of 13.1 innings and has given up just three hits along with 28 strikeouts.

The Tigers haven’t been too shabby at the plate as well, as four are hitting over .350 on the season. Schulte leads with an average of .472, Santiago bats .410, Tucker Gibbar’s average is .405 and Catala hits .391.

Ryan Richey bats .347, Camden Kasel has an average of .345 and Carter Allen’s average is .325. Bailey rounds out the Tiger starters with an average of .262.

The Mohawks come into the matchup with wins over Seymour (18-0), Southeast Warren (3-2) and the thrashing of Sigourney (20-9).

Moravia will be without their leading pitcher, Wyatt Throckmorton (2.16 ERA) due to pitch count from the win over Sigourney.

They are lead in the box by Gage Hanes, who has an average of .400. Throckmorton bats .376, followed by Shane Helmick with an average of .348.

The winner of Tuesday’s game will punch their ticket to the state tournament, with quarterfinals beginning on Monday, July 18 in Carroll for 1A.