DES MOINES — They turned a triple play, and their freshman pitcher threw a complete-game shutout with no walks to beat a Division I recruit.

What a night it was to be a Carroll Kuemper Knight.

Ninth-grade sensation Chris Halbur outdueled Louisville recruit Cody Ege, and third-seeded Kuemper advanced to the Class 2-A state semifinals with Monday’s 3-0 victory over sixth-seeded Cherokee in a quarterfinal game at Principal Park.

Against one of the state’s top pitchers, Kuemper delivered timely hits, executed sacrifice bunts each time the situation called for one and played outstanding defense in the snappy, 73-minute contest.

“It was good to see us do the things that it takes for a team to win,’’ Kuemper coach Randy Snyder said. “Early in the year, we weren’t doing those things. The kids have really come around.’’

Kuemper (26-9) will play second-seeded Davis County (34-1) at 8 p.m. Thursday in the second semifinal, following top-seeded Solon (39-2) and fourth-seeded Waterloo Columbus (23-15) at 6.

Making its sixth straight state appearance, Cherokee closed at 17-14.

The left-handed Ege is one of the state’s top pitchers, but Kuemper took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth when Ethan Schoeppner struck out but reached on a wild pitch. Kent Knobbe sacrificed him to second, and Schoeppner scored when Bryce Berg’s blooper to left field dropped in front of Alanzo Ruble, who then slipped, allowing Berg to hustle into second base with an RBI double.

In the top of the fifth, Cherokee threatened. No. 8 batter Adam Pitts led off with an infield single, and then Zac Woods reached on shortstop Schoeppner’s error.

With runners at first and second, Matt Pitts bunted one into the air near the mound. Halbur hustled over and made a diving catch. Both Braves runners were running on the play, and they scrambled to get back.

Halbur whirled and fired to Schoeppner at second to double off Adam Pitts. Pinch runner Sam Hinkhouse was still far away from first, and Schoeppner threw to Knobbe at first for the triple play, touching off an explosion from the Kuemper fans.

Snyder said it was fitting for his team to turn in that play, because he never knows what he’s going to see when it takes the field.

“We’re not a shiny Cadillac,’’ he said, smiling, “but we’re awful fun to ride in,’’

The Knights, who are rated fourth in western Iowa (Class 2-A/1-A) by The World-Herald, added two late runs. Cody Williams drew a two-out walk in the fifth, stole second and scored on Kyle Pudenz’s triple to right-center.

In the sixth, Knobbe struck out but reached on another wild pitch and was replaced by pinch-runner Carter Ludwig. Bryce Berg sacrificed him to second, and Ludwig scored when Tyler Naberhaus’ hot shot went between Woods’ legs at first for an error.

Then it was left to the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Halbur (10-1), who turned 16 in June. He retired the side in order in the seventh, notching two of his six strikeouts. Thanks in part to the triple play, he faced the minimum over the final five innings and finished with just 84 pitches.

“He’s so quiet. He comes with a purpose,’’ Snyder said. “He’s a competitor. He’s a bulldog. He’s a good example for our other kids, whether they’re older or younger.’’

With the game still scoreless, Schoeppner saved a run in the second. With runners at first and third, the shortstop fielded Matt Pitts’ bouncer up the middle and flipped to Pudenz at second, barely getting Woods for the third out.

Williams finished 2 for 2 with two doubles and a walk for the Knights. He also made a sprinting basket catch from his centerfield post to end the fourth. Snyder said his double to open the Kuemper first inning was key because it showed his teammates that Ege was human.

Williams, a junior, was also instrumental to Kuemper’s improbable run to the state basketball semifinals in March. On Monday, he proved again that he — and these Knights — thrive when the lights shine brightest.

“I love the atmosphere of these big stadiums,’’ he said.

Cherokee (17-14)..................000 000 0—0 5 2
Carroll Kuemper (26-9)...............000 111 x—3 5 1
W: Chris Halbur (10-1). L: Cody Ege (6-2). 2B: CK, Cody Williams 2, Bryce Berg. 3B: CK, Kyle Pudenz.

Contact the writer:

444-1055, kevin.white@owh.com

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