The ISU Baseball Club fell just two runs short of qualifying for the National Club Baseball Association World Series when they were defeated in a playoff series by the Wisconsin Badgers May 9—10. The Badgers advanced to go to the NCBA World Series, held in Brandenton, Fla., from May 21—25.

The Cyclones dropped the first game May 9 by a score of 3—2. The team then rebounded on May 10 by shutting out the Badgers 4—0, behind a one-hitter thrown by pitching ace Tony Kruse, forcing a decisive game three.

Iowa State had fallen behind 5—3 in the third game later on May 10 when first baseman/pitcher Jake Reichling seemingly knocked a solo home run.

After crossing home, the umpire ruled that Reichling failed to touch home plate and was called out. Reichling argued the call and was eventually tossed out of the game, along with coach Chad Houston.

The Badgers held on to win the game 5—3.

“I guess I didn’t step right in the middle of the plate, but I can’t imagine that none of the 19 guys on the sideline didn’t see me miss it and tell me to go back,” Reichling said.

“I didn’t see it, so I don’t know if he did or not,” Houston said. “I just think that the players should be able to play the game and not have it decided on a call.”

Even though the homer would have still left the Cyclones with a one-run deficit, Houston thought the call had a big part in sealing the deal for Wisconsin.

“It may not have decided the final outcome of the game but it really killed our team and we didn’t recover after that,” Houston said.

“It just took the wind out of our sails,” Reichling said.

Houston tried to console his team after the game.

“I just told them that baseball is a very humbling game sometimes and that I really appreciated the effort that every player gave this year,” Houston said.

The Cyclones finished their first season in club baseball as winners of the Central Plains Conference with a conference record of 10—3 and an overall record of 15—5. Houston is confident that his team will be back in the hunt for the World Series next year.

“This was our first time in the playoffs, and now we know what to expect and how good we have to be to compete at that level,” Houston said. “We’re going to be right up there with some of the top teams in the country.”