Junior Alex Loutsch delivers a pitch during Gehlen Catholic's 3-2 upset win over No. 1-ranked Mason City Newman Saturday at Principal Park in Des Moines. Loutsch tossed a three-hitter in the win, running his record to 8-3 on the season, and will take the mound again in the Jays' semifinal game with Sentral, Fenton Thursday. (Sentinel photo by Ty Capron) Click here to view more Jays State Baseball Photos [Click to enlarge]

TJ Britton's first game at the state baseball tournament was full of ups and one down that nearly left him out for the count.

It all started well for the Gehlen Catholic senior catcher as he made the first of his two key defensive plays in the second inning of the Jays' 3-2 upset win over No. 1-ranked Mason City Newman, throwing out the Knights' Tyler Moorehead attempting to steal second base after Moorehead reached on a two-out walk.

Britton's put out seemed to turn the game in Gehlen's favor and the Jays responded with a run in the top of the third to lead 1-0. Still in the third - with runners on first and second - Britton stepped into the batter's box with a chance to provide another big play for his team. Instead, he was drilled in the helmet by Newman pitcher John Bothwell.

"I get the big throw and we get that out and we feel like we've got the momentum back," said Britton. "Then I get hit in the head. It kind of hurt because that kid threw pretty hard. You don't think it hurts at first and then you get a little ringing in there."

Britton was able to shake off the blow and would later tag out the potential tying run for the Knights at home plate in the sixth inning on a relay throw from shortstop Mitch Kurth. The tag at home was the last of a handful of defensive plays that kept Gehlen one step ahead of Newman all game long.

"We made the plays that day," said Britton. "We had all that momentum because we made those big plays. That's what made the game for us."

As for being hit by a pitch in his state debut, Britton said it wasn't so bad. After all, it was at the state tournament. The senior is just happy to be playing this time of year after the Jays' 20-6 team was eliminated in the district semifinals his junior season. Even through a 13-14 regular season this summer, Britton said he was still holding out hopes of a trip to Principal Park.

"I knew we had a good club last year, but this year I thought we could come back and be scrappy, scratch out some wins," said Britton. "With our pitching - Alex (Loutsch) and Mitch (Kurth) - I thought we'd have a pretty decent record. It didn't work out like I thought, but this makes it all worth while."

(Advertisement)

Now Britton and the Jays must face down another highly-ranked opponent to keep their remarkable postseason run alive. Gehlen (18-14) will face No. 3 Sentral, Fenton (41-3) Thursday in the Class 1A semifinal round after the Spartans topped Alburnett 3-0 in their opening-round game.

Senior Ryan Luedtke will likely be on the mound for Sentral after tossing a one-hit shutout in the win over Alburnett. Luedtke came into the postseason at 7-0 with a 1.56 ERA and 49 strikeouts.

"He's been their ace the last two years," said Gehlen coach Marty Kurth. "He's a quality pitcher. He throws the fastball and a pretty nice curveball. We'll have our work cut out for us."

Britton said that after beating Newman's Bothwell - who came into the tournament at 7-1 with a 1.82 ERA and 73 strikeouts - the Jays are not intimidated by Luedtke's statistics.

"He has really good numbers, so he must be pretty decent," said Britton. "But I think we faced a good pitcher in that Newman kid. We should be ready for him."

Gehlen will counter Luedtke with its own staff ace in junior Alex Loutsch. Loutsch threw a three-hitter in the win over Newman and is now 8-3 on the year with a 2.03 ERA and 94 strikeouts. Kurth said that Loutsch should be rested and ready to go after a four-day layoff.

"He knows he's the go-to guy right now and he wants to be there on the mound," said Kurth. "The days off for him have been perfect. Four days is what we like to give the kids. We're looking for Alex to give us another good performance."

Sentral enters Thursday's contest sporting a team .375 batting average with only one starter under .300 on the season. Sophomore center fielder Aaron Siefken is among 1A leaders in every offensive category with a .431 batting average, 52 RBIs, 10 doubles, six triples and 12 home runs. Other big bats in the Spartan lineup include senior catcher Matt Greinert (.385, 27 RBIs, 16 doubles), sophomore shortstop Shaun McGuire (.358, 37 RBIs, 12 doubles) and senior third baseman Brice Boeckholt (.403, 54 RBIs, 6 home runs). Luedtke also swings the bat effectively at .397 with 34 RBIs and 16 doubles.

The Jays come into the matchup batting .293 as a team. Britton leads the team in batting at .379 with 20 RBIs, while Kurth is hitting .360 with 41 RBIs and four home runs and senior BJ Sitzmann adds a .347 average with 21 RBIs and two home runs.

The overall numbers once again seem to favor the opponent, but that's something the Jays are getting used to. And starting to like, said Britton.

"I hope we've gained respect, but I like being the underdog," said Britton. "The upsets are kind of fun."