Indianola Makes History, Wins First Iowa Baseball State Title
By John Damon | Just The News Iowa
After decades of near misses and heartbreak, the Indianola baseball program finally reached the mountaintop. On Friday, July 24, the Indians defeated Pleasant Valley 9-6 at Veterans Memorial Stadium to claim the program's first-ever state championship. The victory came in Indianola's fifth state tournament appearance and first trip to the title game.
Senior Zach Benge, who drove in three runs including a crucial home run, summed up the moment for a community that has long supported its baseball team. 'This means everything,' Benge said. 'A lot of people sleep on the Indy boys, but we are here to play. We are here to compete.'
The 2026 team now stands alone as the best in school history, surpassing the legendary 1969 squad. But the path to glory required patience, unity, and a shared vision.
A Coach's Vision, A Community's Buy-In
Head coach Nathan Carlin, who took over the program three years ago, credited a conversation with former MLB star and Indianola native Casey Blake for sparking the turnaround. 'I had a conversation with Casey Blake about three years ago,' Carlin recalled. 'He said, 'I want you to be our next head coach,' and we just kind of bought into each other. His kids, his nephews, bought into me. The entire team, the entire community bought into what we were trying to do.'
That community backing proved essential. Indianola, a tight-knit town of nearly 17,000 residents just south of Des Moines, has long been known as a baseball town. Carlin described the unique bond. 'Indianola is a type of town where you get sucked in, and you don't want to leave because it's such a tight-knit community that has each other's backs and is so supportive of you, and a baseball town,' he said.
Learning From Pain: How a Photo Fueled a Championship
Last season ended in heartbreak with a substate final loss to Iowa City West. That defeat became fuel for the fire. Carlin kept a picture of City High holding the 4A state trophy in his classroom and in the dugout for an entire year. 'We took our lumps three years ago with a young team; last year we put it together. We had a really nice team, but we learned there was another level to be a champion,' Carlin explained. 'That just motivated us for the next 365 days. Every day the kids walked by and looked at it and just knew they had to put in a little more.'
The team's preparation for the title game was deliberately low-key. Carlin kept the routine normal: a good dinner, rest, breakfast, and weightlifting. But he also added a surprise: a pregame shootaround at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The basketball session seemed to work. Indianola jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings.
A Game of Momentum Swings
Pleasant Valley refused to go quietly. Dawson Bales hit a solo home run in the top of the third, and Mason McCaw singled to bring in Jackson O'Melia, cutting the lead to 5-2. Indianola answered with a two-run double from Brody Merema and a wild pitch that scored Dallas Harlan, making it 8-2.
But in the top of the sixth, the Spartans stormed back. Indianola starter Jackson Foust left after 5 2/3 innings and 79 pitches. Gavin Barber singled in a run, then Bales delivered a bases-clearing, three-RBI double. Suddenly, Pleasant Valley trailed just 8-6 with momentum on its side.
Indianola used three pitchers in the sixth: Foust, Joey Crabb (six pitches), and finally Jacob Orey, who struck out Evan Barr to escape the jam with two runners left on base. 'We were trying to stay after it, win every pitch,' said Pleasant Valley coach Derek Stecklein. 'At that point, don't worry about what happened earlier in the game, and focus on where we were and focus on every pitch.'
Indianola added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Benge launched a home run to the left field patio seats. 'I was so excited, got the barrel extended, and I didn't even feel it off the bat,' he said.
That final run was all the Indians needed. The 27 players on the roster are now champions, but they're even more excited to bring the trophy home to a community that has supported them every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this state title mean for Indianola?
It is the first baseball state championship in program history, cementing the 2026 team as the best in school history and uniting a tight-knit community of nearly 17,000 residents.
Who were the key players in the championship game?
Senior Zach Benge had three RBIs including a home run, Brody Merema drove in two runs, and Jacob Orey closed the game with a strikeout in the sixth inning.
How did the team prepare for the title game?
Coach Nathan Carlin kept the routine normal but added a surprise pregame shootaround at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which seemed to spark the team's fast start.