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Rapp’s 3-hit, 17-strikeout debut tainted by Trojans’ defensive struggles

BLAIRSBURG – Nate Rapp’s first foray onto the varsity mound wasn’t just good, it was great here Wednesday evening.

The Northeast Hamilton eighth grader showed no signs of nerves and mowed down Iowa Star Conference rival Dunkerton. But Rapp got very little help from his defense, as the Trojans committed seven errors in a 4-2 season-opening loss.

Still, it’s hard not to be wowed by Rapp’s performance. He allowed just three hits and one earned run, and fanned 17 – yes, 17 – batters over seven innings of work.

“It’s just unbelievable what that kid can do,” NEH head coach Chace Pruismann said of his rookie. “From the first day of practice, I told Nate that he was going to be on the mound in the opener and he’s been ready for it.”

Dunkerton (1-0, 1-0 ISC) scored single runs in the third, fourth, fifth and seventh innings.

NEH struck first on a second-inning solo bomb to left field by Nick Jeffers. But the Trojans weren’t able to scratch another run across until Bryce VanLangen produced a RBI single in the seventh.

The Trojans (0-1, 0-1 ISC) had the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh, but Red Raiders’ reliever Brett Rathe got Nate Rapp to pop out to center field to end the threat.

Kyler Rapp laced two singles for NEH – part of its seven-hit evening. Nate Rapp, Andy Pate and Austin Smith added singles.

Cadets take care of Trojans, 11-1

LATIMER – CAL broke out the lumber and handed Northeast Hamilton a second straight Iowa Star Conference loss here on Thursday.

The Cadets claimed an 11-1 win that concluded via the 10-run rule in the sixth inning.

Austin Smith took the loss on the bump for NEH. He also scored the team’s only run, courtesy of a RBI single by Garrett Grady.

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