Bishop Heelan baseball approaches first State Tournament appearance since 2019

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) – Just one Iowa high school baseball team in the Sioux City Metro is playing in the final week of July, that’s Bishop Heelan. The Crusaders claimed its first State ticket since 2019, aiming to make some noise in Cedar Rapids.

The fourth-ranked Bishop Heelan team compiled a pair of dramatic victories to book its spot at Kernels Veterans Memorial Field. Following an extra inning 9-8 walk-off win over Le Mars in the 3A-1 Substate semifinals, the Crusaders plated three runs in the bottom of the eighth in the Substate final to defeat Sergeant Bluff-Luton 8-7.

A pair of games that put Bishop Heelan on the brink of ending its season, but it’s that adversity the Crusaders feel has made them stronger.

“I think we learned a lot about ourselves in those situations. We’ve had some tight games, it’s different in the playoffs when your back is against the wall and your season is on the line and some guys’ careers are on the line. Bishop Heelan head coach Andy Osborne said. We know that when we get in those tough spots, we can get it done and there’s guys that have been in those situations that have gotten it done.”

“We’ve got each others backs. We know that bad stuff happens in the game of baseball. We just remind each other to stay in the game the whole time until the last out is made and that there’s no reason to give up.” Bishop Heelan senior Jaron Bleeker mentioned.

Bishop Heelan earned the #4 seed in the 3A bracket, they will play #5 Pella in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

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