HAMPTON – Daniel Halko just wants one question answered: Who’s next?

With his confidence level at an all-time high, the Webster City senior pitcher must feel like he could take down any team in the state after his latest gem here Monday night.

Coming off a complete-game victory over then No. 2-ranked (Class 2A) Clear Lake last week, Halko owned the bats of 10th-ranked (2A) Hampton-Dumont in leading Webster City to a 1-0 victory.

“A great pitching performance,” WCHS head coach Mark Fisher said after his club reeled off its fourth win in five games and its fourth consecutive North Central Conference triumph. “He really kept us out of jams he made quality pitches all night. I can’t say enough about (his) effort.”

Halko twirled a 121-pitch three-hitter that included 11 strikeouts against just one walk while lowering his earned run average to a team-best 1.35. In his last two outings against the first- and second-place teams in the NCC, Halko has fanned 21 batters.

Halko also got plenty of help, as WCHS (4-10, 4-4 NCC) played flawless defense behind him. Freshman first baseman Max Hackbarth made two diving plays at first to rob hits, and eighth grader Dylan Steen laid out to make a catch in right.

Hampton-Dumont (13-4, 6-2 NCC) received singles from Brandon Westendorf, Cesar Baez and Nate White.

Bulldogs’ pitcher Bailey Miller was solid as well, allowing just four hits while striking out seven.

The Lynx got all the offense they would need in the third inning courtesy of three of their hits. Cole Reigelsberger ignited the frame with a single, and he moved to third moments later on the game’ s only extra-base hit – a double by Jordan Moen. Steen slapped a single to center to score Reigelsberger.

Reigelsberger finished 2-for-4 at the plate.

“I thought we continued to show more composure and confidence, and we didn’t crack under the pressure late,” Fisher said. “Early in the season we were finding ways to lose games and we needed to get to a point where we were finding ways to win close games.”

WCHS returned home for a non-conference game against South Central Calhoun last night. The Lynx will be on their diamond again tonight against Fort Dodge St. Edmond at 7:30 p.m.