Waukee dethrones defending 4A Iowa baseball champs

There will be a new Iowa high school state baseball champion in the largest classification, as Waukee knocked off Cedar Rapids Kennedy in a Class 4A substate final Wednesday night.

Last year, the Cougars picked up the 4A state title. This year, though, they were forced to go on the road to earn one of eight bids to Sioux City next week. 

Tickets punched and quarterfinals set for these #iahsbb 3A & 4A teams. Catch the action next week in Sioux City at the 2025 IHSAA State Baseball Tournament presented by @IowaFarmBureau!
⚾️https://t.co/v6ghV4iTXt pic.twitter.com/B64cb9a6WB

But the Warriors were able to secure a thrilling walk-off win with two runs in the seventh to stun Cedar Rapids Kennedy. This will be a second consecutive appearance at state for Waukee and 10th since 2014.

MORE: Lynnville-Sully back to defend Iowa state baseball title

Intra-city rival Waukee Northwest will join them in the quarterfinals along with Bettendorf, Iowa City High, Johnston, Iowa City Liberty, Cedar Rapids Prairie and host, Sioux City East.

For Johnston, it will be an emotional week as longtime head coach Michael Barta has announced plans to leave the program when the season is complete. 

There will also be a new champion in 3A after Carlisle dethroned North Polk, 11-5. Boone, who outlasted Humboldt in an 11-inning affair, will also be headed to Sioux City along with Dubuque Wahlert, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Davenport Assumption, Pella, Saydel and Bishop Heelan.

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