Royals’ Baseball Season Ends
By Mari Radtke
Royals’ baseball was on a roll in the 2024-25 season. They went into bracket play with a 17-3 regular season record. Their entry into the bracket play was second round against George-Little Rock with a win. The next face the Gehlen Jays from LeMars on Saturday July 12 at Marcus. The teams entered the matchup with the Jays claiming dominance in the head to head roughly 2 games to 1 since 2010, according to Iowa High School Athletic Union statistics. The two teams last faced each other on June 19, 2025. Gehlen claimed the game, 6-1.
Gehlen opened the game with a first inning homerun. The game was mostly a defensive battle throughout with Gehlen pitching to 27 MMCRU hitters and MMCRU facing 24 Gehlen batters. Both teams relieved their pitchers after the 4th inning of play.
The game turned at the top of the 3rd inning. With 2 outs and bases loaded, Gehlen’s Mason Small, sophomore, took a swing at a pitch he liked from junior pitcher Eli Schlenger. He sent the ball over the fence near the scoreboard. He sent the about 360 feet for a 4-run grand slam. The score sat at 5-0 for the rest of the game.
Statistically it was a very close game. Both teams retired 8 batters from both teams combined pitchers. Defensively both teams marked 21 put outs. Both teams produced few errors.
The Royals have a lot to be proud of this season. And a lot to look forward to next season.