By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Waverly, IA – The Humboldt Wildcats saw their 2026 baseball season come to an end Monday night, falling to ninth-ranked Waverly-Shell Rock 8-2 in a Class 3A Substate 2 semifinal at Hertel Field on the campus of Wartburg College.
The Go-Hawks jumped out to an early lead, scoring once in each of the first two innings to take a 2-0 advantage. Humboldt threatened in the fourth inning, plating a run to cut the deficit to 2-1 and loading the bases, but the Wildcats were unable to bring home the tying run, leaving a runner stranded at third.
Waverly-Shell Rock seized control in the bottom of the fifth, sending 11 batters to the plate during a five-run inning that stretched its lead to 7-1.
Humboldt answered with a run in the sixth to make it 7-2, but the Go-Hawks added an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning before retiring the Wildcats in order in the seventh to secure the victory.
Brandon Severson earned the win for Waverly-Shell Rock after allowing two earned runs on three hits over five innings. He walked four, hit one batter and struck out five. Cash Ryan picked up the save, tossing two scoreless innings while allowing one hit, walking one and striking out three.
The Go-Hawks were led offensively by Ross Armstrong, who went 4-for-4 with three RBIs. Jack Wiedemeier finished 2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored, Jack Elsamiller added two hits, Grady Harris drove in two runs and Carter Pirkle contributed two hits and an RBI.
Grant Goodell took the loss for Humboldt, pitching 4⅓ innings. He allowed seven runs, six earned, on nine hits with three walks, two hit batters and four strikeouts. Jackson Kirchhoff worked the final 1⅔ innings, giving up one earned run on three hits while striking out four.
Jackson Flaherty and Dane Clark each drove in a run for the Wildcats.
Humboldt head coach Jason Thurm said he was proud of the way his team battled despite the disappointing finish.
“The boys left it on the field tonight. It didn’t turn out the way that we wanted it to, obviously, but happy with the way we competed and the effort that we gave. Unfortunately, we had to see our season come to an end tonight, but the boys did what they did all year long. They competed, great attitudes and effort, and we’re just trying to get into a good team.”
The Wildcats finished the 2026 season at 21-9 (10-4 NCC). Waverly-Shell Rock (25-6) advanced to the Class 3A Substate 2 championship game against North Polk (26-7) Wednesday night.