The United Red Storm capture their first class 1A regional title since going back-to-back in 2021-22 with a 5-0 win over Princeville on Saturday afternoon at United High School. The win was a little sweeter, as United had lost their last three regional championship games. Red Storm starting pitcher Ian Leffler went the distance, going all seven innings, giving up only four hits, no runs, with 14 strikeouts. Leffler also helped himself out at the plate, blasting a towering 3-run homer in the bottom of the 3rd to put the Red Storm up for good. United would tack on two more insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th and Leffler would finish things off in the top of the 7th with two strikeouts and a game-ending ground-out. Kellen Boone was the only player in the game with multiple hits with two. Princeville starting pitcher Noah Geiger threw five gutsy innings, giving up 8 hits, five runs with a pair of strikeouts.
United improves to (29-5-2) on the season and moves on to the sectional tournament on the artificial turf at Camp Point Central High School. The Red Storm will play (20-6-2) Brown County on Wednesday in the first of two semifinal games at 2:00. Brown County knocked off Camp Point Central 11-3 on Saturday in the Mendon Unity regional championship. After the completion of the first semi, the second semifinal on Wednesday in Camp Point has (19-8) Abingdon-Avon taking on (21-12) Jacksonville (Routt). On Saturday in Abingdon, A-Town trailed Havana 5-2 in the 5th inning and 7-4 going to the bottom of the 6th. A 4-run comeback by the Tornadoes kept their season going with an 8-7 win over the Ducks. Routt beat Liberty 3-0 in the Liberty regional championship game.
For the WRAM radio replay of the United vs. Princeville regional championship game, go to the SPORTS PODCAST section.
***Photo courtesy of Kara Leffler***
