North Linn baseball coach Travis Griffith expected some growing pains this season.
He said this is the youngest Lynx team he has coached with just five juniors and no seniors on the 18-player roster. Griffith has watched them progress throughout the season.
“We have been very pleased with how far our young group has come,” Griffith said. “We rely on three eighth-graders and four freshmen as everyday starters.
“I guess I am most surprised by how composed we are with such a young team.”
After a two-week hiatus, North Linn returned to the top 10 of the Class 1A rankings released Sunday night by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. The Lynx are ninth in the latest poll, entering Monday’s Tri-Rivers Conference doubleheader against East Buchanan.
“We don't worry much about rankings, it really isn't talked about ever here,” Griffith said. “I think it does, however, reflect that we have had a good season up to this point. Our focus is on East Buchanan (Monday) night and trying to win conference. Then, we will shift focus to postseason and what we will need to do to make a run.”
North Linn opened the week 17-4 overall and 9-1 in the TRC West. The Lynx have won eight of their last nine, including a 4-3 victory over 2A No. 5 and defending state champion Dyersville Beckman.
Seasoned players like Cole Griffith, Cael Benesh and Mason Bechen have helped guide the young talent. Cole Griffith leads the team with 33 hits, Benesh has 25 and Bechen is third at 23. Cole Griffith and junior Mason Zimmerman both have four wins on the mound.
Their impact extends beyond stats and what happens during games.
“This is a hard-working group of juniors that have played in many big games, and that experience shows,” Travis Griffith said. “They not only lead by example but are very vocal in showing the younger players how things are done around here.”
Macoy Winn is an example of the youth movement. The freshman-to-be hasn’t taken a high school class and leads the team in innings pitched. Winn is 3-0 with 23 strikeouts in a little more than 30 innings. Winn is also fourth on the team in hits with 20 and has 16 RBIs, batting .339.
“Macoy Winn has had a very impressive rookie season,” Travis Griffith said. “He is one of our top pitchers, an everyday shortstop, and hits in the middle of our lineup.”
North Linn earned the No. 1 seed in 1A District 10. The Lynx open the postseason at home against North Cedar on July 6. East Buchanan, Midland and Belle Plaine are also assigned to the district. The focus is on getting better and preparing to be at their best for the playoffs.
“Our pitching and defense have been getting better and better each week,” Travis Griffith said. “The boys all get along great and enjoy coming out to the ballpark every day. I feel good about where we are at right now, but we all know there are a lot of areas we can improve on each day. We’ve got a tough 10 days to finish this (regular) season, but I think we are getting healthy at the right time and could be poised to make a run this postseason.”
Class 4A Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings
1. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (28-2)
2. Dallas Center-Grimes (27-1)
3. Iowa City High (27-4)
4. Ankeny Centennial (21-6)
5. Johnston (23-5)
6. Linn-Mar (20-7)
7. Waukee (20-10)
8. Iowa City Liberty (20-10)
9. Waukee Northwest (18-11)
10. Davenport North (22-9)
Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Cedar Rapids Prairie (19-11), Des Moines Roosevelt (18-11), Indianola (19-9), Sioux City East (20-9), Southeast Polk (17-11)
Class 3A Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings
1. North Polk (17-4)
2. Marion (21-3)
3. Dubuque Wahlert (21-8)
4. Western Dubuque (18-8)
5. Sioux City Heelan (22-8)
6. Central DeWitt (18-6)
7. Davenport Assumption (16-11)
8. Grinnell (19-8)
9. Solon (15-7)
10. Bondurant-Farrar (17-7)
Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Algona (20-4), Center Point-Urbana (18-7), Harlan (19-6), Pella (18-7), Saydel (20-8)
Class 2A Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings
1. West Marshall (27-1)
2. Underwood (18-2)
3. Van Meter (25-4)
4. Des Moines Christian (22-2)
5. Dyersville Beckman (15-6)
6. New Hampton (20-3)
7. Estherville-Lincoln Central (13-4)
8. Sumner-Fredericksburg (17-3)
9. Clarinda (15-3)
10. Truro Interstate 35 (18-5)
Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Alburnett (20-5), Anamosa (15-7), Mid-Prairie (16-7), Northeast (13-6), Unity Christian (17-7)
Class 1A Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings
1. Akron-Westfield (17-2)
2. Burlington Notre Dame (21-3)
3. Mason City Newman (21-4)
4. Remsen St. Mary’s (15-3)
5. Lynnville-Sully (21-3)
6. Saint Ansgar (17-2)
7. Wapsie Valley (24-6)
8. Tri-Center (15-4)
9. North Linn (17-4)
10. Sigourney (15-2)
Other receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Algona Garrigan (15-5), Don Bosco (17-7), Logan-Magnolia (16-5), Woodbine (17-2), Woodbury Central (16-4)
Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com
