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Top stars, best performances on Day 4 of the Iowa high school baseball state tournaments

Some of the best performances from Thursday's action
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By Barry Poe 

During the Iowa State High School Baseball Tournaments, SBLive will list the top performances of each day.

The fourth installment is from semifinal action in Class 2A at Carroll and 4A at Iowa City.

Blake Ingvall, Estherville-Lincoln Central

The senior third baseman was 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 7-4 win over Mid-Prairie in a 2A semifinal at Merchants Park in Carroll. Ingvall’s blast helped the Midgets rally from an early 3-0 deficit to take the lead for good and send them into Friday’s championship game against Van Meter.

Carter Snyder, Estherville-Lincoln Central

The senior catcher knocked in two runs during a three-run fifth inning as the Midgets downed Mid-Prairie 7-4 in a Class 2A semifinal. Estherville-Lincoln Central (33-2) will take a 24-game winning streak into the championship game against unbeaten Van Meter.

Ike Speltz, Van Meter

The junior first baseman belted a grand slam home during an eight-run explosion in the sixth inning for three-time defending Class 2A state champion Van Meter against Dyerville Beckman. That snapped a 1-1 tie and the Bulldogs went on to win 9-4, earning a chance to become only the fourth team to win four straight state titles.

Jack Pettit, Van Meter

The senior leadoff hitter was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in the Bulldogs’ 9-4 victory over Dyersville Beckman in a Class 2A semifinal. Pettit also pitched the first 5.1 innings but was not the pitcher of record for Van Meter, which plays second seed Estherville-Lincoln Central in the title game.

Will Nuss, Johnston

The freshman third baseman was 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and two-run single as the Dragons rolled into their fourth straight Class 4A state title game with an 11-4 semifinal win over Waukee Northwest at Duane Banks Field. Johnston will play West Des Moines Dowling in the championship game Friday.

Tyne Weeden, Johnston

The sophomore designated hitter had a home run and two singles, driving in three runs during an 11-4 win over Waukee Northwest in a 4A semifinal. Jake Pemble struck out 10 and allowed four hits in 6.1 innings to earn the pitching win.

Jake English, W.D.M. Dowling

The senior was the winning pitcher for the Maroons in a 6-4 victory over Iowa City High in a Class 4A semifinal. English also had two hits and drove in a run as Dowling moved to the championship game against Johnston.

Blake Larson, W.D.M. Dowling

The sophomore had a double and single, driving in two runs, and picked up a save with two scoreless innings in a 6-4 Class 4A semifinal win over Iowa City High. Cooper Nicholson and Blake Anderson added two hits apiece for the Maroons.