(Sentinel photo by Roy Tucker) Gehlen Catholic players celebrate in the middle of the diamond Tuesday after defeating Ar-We-Va 9-1 to earn a berth in the state baseball tournament in Des Moines. [Click to enlarge]

The Jays (22-10) scored early - and often - against Ar-We-Va (15-6) and ace pitcher Reggie Kock in Tuesday's Class 1A substate final in Holstein, plating five in the first two innings en route to a 9-1 victory.

Gehlen took advantage of control issues for Kock in the first inning as Eric Rohe hit a bunt single with two outs and later scored after three consecutive Kock walks.

(Sentinel photo by Roy Tucker) Gehlen batboy Ty Kurth is carried off the field by senior Austin Langel during the Jays' postgame celebration following Tuesday's 9-1 win over Ar-We-Va in a Class 1A substate final. [Click to enlarge]

Kock came into the night having issued only 16 walks in 61 innings of regular season ball, but had nine in 5 2/3 innings Tuesday.

"That was huge. We were very plate-disciplined," Gehlen coach Marty Kurth said. "We talked about that in batting practice. I told the kids we needed to make him throw strikes, make him work. We did that tonight."

And while Kock - and the entire Ar-We-Va team - became frustrated by the strikezone, Gehlen pitcher Taylor Smith methodically went about his business. Smith tossed a complete-game three-hitter with two walks and four strikeouts. His one earned run came on a Kock home run in the bottom of the second inning.

(Sentinel photo by Roy Tucker) Gehlen third baseman Craig Schlesser (left) tosses to second baseman Chad Macek (middle), who in turn throws onto first baseman Austin Sitzmann (right) to turn a double play for the first two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday in the Jays' 9-1 win over Ar-We-Va. [Click to enlarge]

"Taylor did a great job," Kurth said. "We got a run in the first and that was big, but the four we got in the second were huge. Taylor struggled a little bit in the fourth inning, but came back and finished strong. He just did a great job for us tonight."

Smith was one of two senior stars on the night for Gehlen, with Rohe providing an outstanding effort at the plate. Rohe finished 3-for-4 with a double, a triple and five RBIs. He also stole three bases and scored three runs.

In the second inning, Jordan Sitzmann drew a one-out walk and senior Chad Macek doubled, moving Sitzmann to third. Alex Pick then walked and Rohe followed with a three-run double.

(Sentinel photo by Roy Tucker) Gehlen catcher Michael Lamoreaux is embraced by mother Lisa during the Jays' postgame celebration Tuesday after a 9-1 win over Ar-We-Va to clinch a state tournament berth. [Click to enlarge]

Rohe was picked off at second after the double, but senior Craig Schlesser worked a two-out walk, stole second and later scored on a passed ball for a 5-0 lead.

"We flustered them," Kurth said. "They were kind of out of it after the second inning mentally and you could see it in their players. We put pressure on them on the bases, played aggressive."

The Jays had five stolen bases on the night, but were picked off twice by Kock.

"A couple times we were a little over-aggressive," Kurth said. "But it was hard to curb their enthusiasm."

Ar-We-Va answered Gehlen's four-run top of the second with its only run of the game in the bottom of the frame on Kock's home run.

Gehlen put the game all but out of reach in the fourth, however, with three runs to lead 8-1.

Macek singled to open the fourth and stole second. Pick then walked and Rohe belted a two-out triple. Schlesser followed with a sacrifice fly to score Rohe, giving Smith a seven-run cushion on the mound.

The Rockets threatened in their half of the fourth as Mitchell Rickers drew a leadoff walk and Ryan Schurke singled, but Tyler Pawletzki grounded into a fielder's choice, Kock struck out and Jeremy Ehlers popped out to end the inning.

After a scoreless fifth, Gehlen tacked on a final run in the sixth as Rohe reached on an error, stole second and third and scored on a Schlesser fielder's choice.

Rohe highlighted a seven-hit effort for the Jays at the plate, while Macek had a single and a double. Fellow senior Austin Langel also beat out an infield single and Schlesser had two RBIs despite going hitless on the night.

"These seniors, a couple of them got to play at state a few years ago," Kurth said. "I think they set their goal to get down to Principal Park and make their own name."

The senior class - which includes Smith, Rohe, Craig Schlesser, Macek, Alex Pick and Langel - have carried Gehlen throughout the playoffs and into state for the second time in three seasons. Kurth said it's time for this group to step out of the shadow of the leaders from the '06 state team and into the spotlight.

"I'm happy to see these kids succeed and have the opportunity to play down at Principal Park. They've plugged away and played hard. It's been a great group of kids to work with and it's a privilege to coach them down there."

Gehlen will be the No. 7 seed at the state tournament, drawing top-ranked and second-seeded Iowa Mennonite - the defending 1A state champ - in the first round Monday at 8 p.m..