While last year’s loss came in the Class A final, this season the Indians and the Knights met in the semifinals, where SJN once again staged a late-inning comeback to end CV’s season.

Cowanesque Valley qualified for Districts as the No. 2 seed with a regular season record of 11-9, but did suffer through a slow start, losing three of their first four games by a total of five runs.

The Indians traded wins and losses every game for the next 12 contests, leaving them two games under .500 with four remaining. They’d win all four of those remaining games in big fashion, scoring 52 runs to gear up for post-season play. 

CV kept their offense in gear in the District semi game with Neumann, taking leads of 5-0 and 6-1 before ultimately falling 9-6.

Leading the way for CV at the plate this season was senior Mikey Sipps, who hit .476 with a .598 on-base-percentage. The Indians’ catcher had 30 hits (7-2B, 1-3B, 2 HR), 25 runs scored, 19 RBI, 13 walks and 25 stolen bases.

Tucker St. Peter turned in a solid season as well, batting .377 and getting on base at a .488 clip. The senior had 26 hits (4-2B, 2 HR), 30 runs scored, 17 RBI, 10 walks and 43 stolen bases.

“Newcomer” Kade Sottolano returned to the Indians’ lineup this year after being forced to miss last season with a shoulder injury. The senior hit .339, had an OBP of .459 and had 20 hits (5-2B, 2 HR), 23 RBI, 12 runs and 12 walks while playing multiple positions in the infield for CV.

Senior McGwire Painter (.254 BA, .347 OBP, 16H, 12R, 14 RBI, 5-2B, 1 GS), junior Julian Francis (.228, .279, 13H, 7R, 9 RBI, 3-2B) and sophomore Carter Ackley (.206, .290, 13H, 14R, 10 RBI, 14 SB) rounded out the Indians’ offensive attack.

On the mound, Painter logged 58 innings to go 3-7 on the season, with a 3.34 ERA and 78 strikeouts, while St. Peter threw 49 innings and went 6-3 with a 4.26 ERA and 45 K’s.

Being a senior-heavy squad, Cowanesque Valley will lose around 65% of their offensive production, and 95% of their innings pitched from this season.