Valle Catholic (31-3) scored in every inning but one Tuesday afternoon, June 2, 2014 and defeated Hartville (19-5), 13-2, to claim their second Class 2 State Championship in school history. Hartville pitching walked ten and Andrew Basler threw a 5 hitter, going the distance. Sr. Justin Roth drove in three runs with two hits and Daniel Bergtholdt had four hits, giving him seven in the two games at O’Fallon’s T.R. Hughes Park. Nolan Wood reached base five times, drawing four walks and was hit by a pitch. The Warriors claimed their only other State Championship in 2009.
Warrior Head Coach Judd Naeger announced after the game that he is stepping down as Valle Catholic head coach and will be replaced by Assistant Coach Nathan Gegg.
For Judd, the thrill of winning this state title had extra meaning. It comes in his last game as a high school baseball coach after 13 seasons. “I was going to feel good about this game, win or lose, just because I knew it was a decision I needed to make for my family,” Naeger said. “I just think it’s time for somebody else to do it a little better than I did.”
To get to the finals, the Warriors defeated Linn behind the brilliant pitching performance of Daniel Bergtholdt who pitched a great game on the mound recording 15Ks in a four hit shut-out.
One final team prayer
CONGRATULATIONS to Coach Naeger, Coach Gegg, Coach Basler, and all the Warriors for an outstanding championship season.
The Valle Family is proud of you!
Semifinals
Finals
Valle Catholic baseball games are archived on Prepcasts Ste. Genevieve
http://www.prepcastsstegen.info/