The CAM Cougars jumped on top early but a 6-run 5th inning swung the game in favor of St. Albert in the Class 1A Substate 7 Final on Tuesday in Clarinda. The Falcons went on to win 9-5 and will head back to the State Tournament after a 1-year hiatus.

The Falcons scored a run in the top of the 1st on an RBI ground-out by Cy Patterson. The Cougars answered right back with 2 runs in the bottom of the frame. Colby Rich had an RBI sac-fly to center and Lane Spieker scored on a wild pitch. The Cougars added another run in the 3rd on another sac-fly from Rich to lead 3-1 until the 5th.

The Falcons then found some offense in the 5th. St. Albert sent the entire order to the plate and brought home 6 runs on 5 hits. The bases loaded up with no out and Jeff Miller drove in a run with a single. Ryan Generaux scored 2 on a double, Jeff Miller got home on a wild pitch, and Isaac Sherrill brought home 2 more with a single. The Falcons built on that momentum and loaded the bases again in the 6th with no out and eventually plated 2 runs on 2 hits.

CAM tried to inch back with a run in the 6th on an RBI double by Ben Tibken. Joe Kauffmann came in and struck out the side for the Falcons in the top of the 7th and the Cougars headed to the final half inning trailing 9-4. A couple of walks got Connor McKee and Jacob Holste on board. Kolby Nelson then grounded one towards second that turned into a double play. Lane Spieker dribbled an infield single that brought home McKee to make it 9-5. Cy Patterson was then able to strikeout Colby Rich to end the game.

CAM ends another phenomenal season with a record of 15-3. Cougars Head Coach Dan Daugherty said they were right there in the game and one bad inning cost them.

Coach Daugherty said the future is still bright with a lot of talent back for the Cougars, but he will also miss a Senior class that has meant a lot to CAM baseball.

St. Albert improved to 21-1 on the season and they will now wait to see who and when they will play in the State Tournament. One of the 1A Substate Final games was pushed to Wednesday night due to rain so they’ll have to wait for pairings until that game is played.