After a trip to the state tournament in 2023, there won’t be an incredible postseason run for the Lisbon baseball team in 2024. The Lions lost their Class 1A District opener to Maquoketa Valley, 6-3, on Saturday, July 6, in Traer, and finished 5-24.
Some miscues by the Lions led to the Wildcats scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
“With errors, it is not how many you make, it’s when you make them,” Lisbon coach Lance Kamaus said. “That was our bug-a-boo all season. Fielding the ball at inopportune times. It didn’t go the way we wanted to, that’s for sure.”
Things looked good early. Bryce Boots had a two-run single in the top of the first, and Ian Whittenbaugh had an RBI single in the top of the second.
“We got off to the start we wanted,” Kamaus said. “We put balls in play, and hit some hard.”
Whittenbaugh took the mound and pitched five innings. He gave up just three hits, but was hurt by a few free baserunners and a few errors.
“Ian did a real nice job on the mound,” Kamaus said.
Maquoketa Valley pitcher Brady Wall held the Lions to just one hit over his final three innings. Bryce Vaske pitched the sixth and seventh innings for the Wildcats, giving up jut one hit, an infield single to Dakota Clark.
The loss was felt deeply by the Lions, who felt like they’d have a good chance against North Tama (15-11) in the district semifinal on Tuesday, July 9, if they had advanced.
“The kids were so geared in,” Kamaus said. “There was some disappointment.”
And while the final record (5-24) wasn’t great, the Lions have a lot to build on for 2025.
“Save a couple of guys, it was an entirely new group,” Kamaus said. “Younger guys stepped into roles they had not anticipated.
“Now we’re decidedly experienced going into next season.”
On Wednesday, July 3, the Lions celebrated Senior Night against West Branch in West Liberty, losing 10-1. The Comets were willing to let the Bears and Lions use their turf field after lot of rain the previous two days threatened to cancel the non-conference game. A game against North Tama on Tuesday, July 2, was wiped out by the wet weather.
Against the Bears, junior Ian Nelson and sophomore Brennen Dale combined to limit Lisbon to one hit, despite walking seven. The pair also struck out seven. The lone hit was by Clark.
“We’re thankful West Liberty let us play down there,” Kamaus said. “It was our best option.”
While they celebrated Senior Day 32 miles away, Kamaus said the Lion seniors can remember their final game at City Park was a 16-15 come-from-behind win over New London.
“That’s a fun way to end it on that field,” Kamaus said. “They never quit.”
Lisbon 210 000 0 – 3 7 3
Maquoketa Valley 102 030 x – 6 4 0
Ian Whittenbaugh, Carew Kamaus (6) and Kamaus, Whittenbaugh (6); Brady Wall and Dexter Dietiker. W – Wall. L – Whittenbaugh. 2B – Dylan Knipper (MV), Brady Wall (MV).
Lions baseball season comes to an end
Ryan Suchomel, Sports Reporter
July 11, 2024
About the Contributor
Ryan Suchomel, Sports Reporter
Ryan Suchomel is a sports reporter for the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun.