Junior pitcher and infielder Landon Curtis helped the Ankeny Christian Academy baseball team to a 15-11 record. The Eagles closed out their season on Tuesday with a 6-2 loss to defending state champion Lynnville-Sully in a Class 1A substate final at Newton.
Curtis batted .365 with eight doubles and 17 RBIs. On the mound, he compiled a 4-1 mark with a 2.47 ERA.
Here is some inside info on Curtis:
Congratulations on an outstanding season. What was the highlight for you?
Just really how we ended up and the way we played together. We are a young team and lost a ton of seniors (last year) who were key players. It can only go up from here. There was lots of fun in practice or the dugout. We usually had a good time.
Your team got off to a 5-7 start before putting together a six-game winning streak where you averaged 14 runs per game. Did it just take awhile for this team to come together?
We were just kind of getting into our rhythm. I wasn’t able to play the middle of the season, and there were situations where I was needed. We had some close games and would play well, then there would be an error or a few and then we’d fall a little bit. Once we hit the postseason, everything was clicking and that was our team.
You tossed a one-hitter and had 10 strikeouts in a 6-0 win over Baxter in the district final on July 12 at Lynnville-Sully. Was that the best game you’ve ever pitched?
I guess so, I hadn’t thought of it like that. I said I’d be good for the next game after Southeast Warren, and I felt great. I didn’t have as many opportunities due to a limited season, but yes it was (my best game).
How many different pitches do you throw, and were they all working for you in that game?
I can throw five or six pitches, but I choose whatever’s feeling best for that night. It normally just ends up being four. They were working, and then I couldn’t throw the slider at the end of the game. But I was mostly throwing fastball, and that got them.
What adjustments did you make after the previous game, when you struggled on the mound in the district semifinal at Southeast Warren?
I’d say I like starting better than coming in (as a reliever). I get to do all of my warmup, etc. Some of the things were out of my control In the previous game. But I wasn’t so much in my head about that game. I did work on throwing from the stretch more because I didn’t do well at Southeast Warren with that.
Your team’s season ended with a loss to Lynnville-Sully for the third consecutive year. Did you have confidence that your team was going to win after jumping out to a 2-0 lead in Tuesday’s game?
It was prayed upon, and we believed that we could win it. We had to stay consistent, and we were. Our defense had been on during the playoff time. But we made some errors, and that fall came. We also needed the bats to roll more.
Your pitcher, Lucas Erickson, had another strong outing, giving up just one earned run on six hits. What did you think of his performance?
I think Lucas was doing great. Some things weren’t going either way for both sides of the pitching. The defense was backing him up, and he was doing what was needed. I’m very happy that wasn’t his last outing. He’s got more to prove (next year).
Do you plan to watch any of the games at the state tournament?
I won’t watch, but I’ll tune in to live scores and things.
Who do you think will win the Class 1A title?
I’ll pick Remsen St. Mary’s or Kee (Lansing).
Your team will graduate only one senior, so will you have some high expectations for next season?
Yes, I am looking forward to this next season. We are connected as a team, and we play together not for one self and ultimately for God. I believe we can go even farther than we have these past two seasons.
Would you like to play baseball in college?
Leading up to past seasons I did, then I changed my mind and wasn’t sure I wanted to. But yes, now it is an option again for my next step. I’ll do whatever God has in store for me.