BRIAR KLAVER pitches for Webster City against West Delaware. (DFJ photo by Jodie Casey)

Throughout the 2023 season, Webster City head baseball coach Adison Kehoe’s philosophy was for his team to “play anyone, anywhere and at any time.”

The baptism by fire is to properly prepare the Lynx for the road ahead in the postseason.

At times, it pays off. Other times, it’s a learning experience.

The Lynx dealt with the latter in their regular season finale against West Delaware, coming up short in a 13-3 decision held this past Wednesday at Lynx Field in Webster City.

The Hawks took an early 2-0 lead, before pushing their advantage to five runs before the purple and gold responded with three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Two innings later, however, West Delaware plated eight runs to snap the Lynx’s three-game winning streak.

Webster City will head into the Class 3A-Substate 2 tournament with a 15-15 overall record. The Hawks improved to 25-11.

The Lynx will now take on Hampton-Dumont-CAL in a rubber match in the first round of substate, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at the Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School Baseball Field in Hampton.

Both teams each gain a win over the other during the regular season. On June 12, the Bulldogs (14-15) edged the Lynx via a 6-5 score, before Webster City shut out their North Central Conference opponent via a 7-0 decision on June 30.

Freshman Matthew Tesdahl paced the Lynx with two doubles, while senior Ty McKinney contributed with one double and an RBI. SEnior CJ Hisler chipped in with a double against West Delaware.

McKinney, Tesdahl and junior Trevyn Lyons scored runs for the home team.

Junior Keegan Hisler had three strikeouts in 44 pitches, while teammate Briar Klaver fanned two Hawk batters despite taking a loss on the mound. Freshman Jaxon Griffith also put together two strikeouts.