Team members for the 2025 South Hamilton baseball squad are, front row, left to right: Connor Deppe ,Carson Gibbs, Brayden Moore, Braden Young, Landon Sogard, Andrew Jensen. Middle row: Liam Ealy, Sam Koehnk, Titus Herrick, Parker Stuck, Brody Harris, Garrett Johnson. Back row: Daniel Keane, Harlan Klein, Holden Moore, Cooper Stuck, Gage Wills, Wyatt Gelder, Elijah Henderson, Spencer Davis. (DFJ Photo by Angela Hewitt)

Coming off back-to-back 10-win campaigns, the South Hamilton baseball team will rely on four key returning players to keep the momentum headed in the right direction under head coach Cole Swenson.

Seniors Andrew Jensen, Connor Deepe, Braden Young and Landon Sogard lead the way, as all four played in at least 16 games last season.

The Hawks have won at least 10 games six times over the past eight seasons, finishing above the .500 mark three years. They were knocked out of the postseason in the opening round last season after winning five in a row and eight of 11 down the stretch.

“We have a team-first attitude that will help serve us well throughout the summer,” Swenson said. “The kids are striving to get better each and every day.”

Sogard posted a team-high 20 RBI as a junior, recording 19 hits with two homers, two doubles and a triple while Young had 18 hits, scoring 13 runs with five doubles and eight RBI, stealing five bases.

Jensen recorded 19 hits with three doubles and 10 RBI, as Deppe had six hits with six runs scored and five RBI.

“We lost a strong senior class from a year ago,” Swenson said. “Being consistent hitters 1-through-9 in our lineup will be a key to our success.”

Sogard tied for the team lead with four wins, striking out 56 batters in 47 innings with an earned run average just over four. Young had one win and 23 strikeouts, as those are the only two players back who logged innings on the mound.

The Hawks finished 5-8 in the Heart of Iowa Conference, placing sixth as West Marshall claimed regular season league honors.

“We want to develop as a whole team,” Swenson said, “and be playing our best baseball at the end of the year.”

South Hamilton opens with Nevada, Grand View Christian and Roland-Story at home. They will play 10 of 12 on the road in June.

2025 SOUTH HAMILTON

BASEBALL SCHEDULE

May 22 — Nevada; 28 — Grand View Christian; 30 — Roland-Story.

June 2 — at West Marshall; 4 — at PCM; 6 — Perry; 9 — at Greene County; 10 — at Saydel; 12 — at Ballard; 13 — at Nevada; 16 — Saydel; 17 — at South Hardin; 18 — at Grand View Christian; 19 — at Southeast Valley; 20 — at Roland-Story; 23 — West Marshall; 25 — PCM; 27 — at Perry; 30 — Greene County.

July 1 — at Iowa Falls-Alden.