Orange City, Ia (Northwest Iowa Now) – The Class 3A Substate 2 Semifinals featured the #1 seeded MOC-Floyd Valley Dutch hosting the #4 seeded Spencer Tigers Monday night in Orange City, the fourth meeting of the season between the two teams.

Henry Heller, the Freshman for MOC-Floyd Valley got the start against Spencer’s Aiden Seversen.

After a scoreless two and a half innings, the Dutch would get the scoring started with 2 outs in the bottom of the 3rd with Heller giving himself a 1-0 lead to work with.

Spencer would respond in a big way for the bottom of the 4th, as Coen Rittenhouse drove in Jack Berends and Jackson Eilts on a single to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the top of the 4th.

The Tigers would add a 3rd run in the 4th when Trenton Hallett hustled out a ground ball to beat out a potential inning ending double play while George Lawson scored on the Fielder’s Choice.

Blake Aalbers would score again for MOC-Floyd Valley in the bottom of the 5th, as Kaleb Koerselman knocked him in to cut the Spencer lead down to 1.

The Tigers were able to get the leadoff runner in Jackson Eilts on in the top of the 6th but only got him around as far as 3rd. Carter Van Gelder had come into relieve his starter Heller, striking out 2 of the last 3 batters in the 6th.

In the bottom of the 6th, Hudson Kleinhesselink was on 3rd when Cole Pottebaum layed down a bunt that was played well by the Tiger infield to save the tying run from coming home.

That only delayed the Dutch comeback though, as the Dutch got working with 2 outs again, as Heller came through with a big 2RBI hit.

Trailing 4-3 going into the top of the 7th, Spencer was unable to get a baserunner against Van Gelder, the day-to-day number 2 pitcher for MOC-Floyd Valley, and the Dutch survived the Tiger upset bid with a 4-3 win.

Carter Van Gelder was credited with the win in relief for MOC-Floyd Valley, throwing 2 innings with no hits or runs, walking only 1 and striking out 4.

Shelton Bendlin took the loss in relief for Spencer, throwing 2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 earned runs and striking out 1.

Spencer’s season comes to an end at 12-14 in a year they took 2nd in the Lakes Conference.

MOC-Floyd Valley’s State Tournament hopes continue to Wednesday when they will play Sergeant Bluff-Luton for the 3A Substate 2 Championship at home. Winner advances to play the 3A State Baseball Tournament in Sioux City next week.