About Baseball
The Little Cyclones finished an already special season with an historic run to the IHSAA state championship game. After taking the IAC-North baseball divisional title, the Little Cyclones survived a 10-inning scare to Waterloo East in the opening round of the substate playoffs. Ames would defeat Fort Dodge, 11-2, before taking down No. 1-ranked Ankeny Centennial in the substate final. Qualifying for the state tournament field for the first time since 1995, the Little Cyclones prevailed with a 9-7 win over second-seeded Iowa City High before taking down sixth-seeded Cedar Falls, 4-3, in the state semifinals to book a spot in the title game. Ames would fall to top-seeded Johnson in an eight-inning battle to finish the season at 31-14 – a new program-best for wins in a season.
Points of Pride
1961
State TitleAmes won the 1961 crown after taking down previously unbeaten Fredericksburg in a 3-1 showdown. Mike Karns’ single in the bottom of the sixth inning drove in two Little Cyclones.
2023
State Title Runner-upThe Little Cyclones completed their historic run in the IHSAA state championship game in 2023, breaking a 35-year title game drought.
3
Ranked Teams in a RowAmes knocked off three consecutive ranked teams in its 2023 postseason run (No. 1 Ankeny Centennial, No. 4 Iowa City High, No. 10 Cedar Falls).
31-14
2023 Campaign RecordThe 2023 squad broke the program record for wins in a single season, finishing 31-14.
Contact the Coach
Nick Steenhagen
