The Boyer Valley Bulldogs earned a 14-0 win against the Exira-EHK Spartans Friday night in Elk Horn. The high scoring tone was set early in the game with back-to-back RBI Doubles from Cooper Petersen and Robert Brasel to quickly put Boyer Valley up 2-0. The Bulldogs then used a 2 RBI single from Levi Reineke to give them a 4-0 lead at the end of the first. Exira-EHK made solid contact with the ball but struggled to earn base hits on the night by the sharp infield play of Boyer Valley. The Bulldogs continued to add pressure by adding 3 more runs to their lead at the end of the second inning to make the game 7-0 and taking confidence away from Exira-EHK pitching. In the top of the third Boyer Valley was held scoreless, but thanks to the determined pitching Logan Thompson Spartan Batters could never get comfortable enough to round second.

The Bulldogs scored 3 more runs in the 4th and 4 in the fifth to achieve the run rule after 5 innings of play with the final score being 14-0. Boyer Valley was led in hitting on the night by Levi Reineke who went 3-3 at the plate with 4 RBI’s. Starting pitcher Logan Thompson pitched 5 innings, had no runs, 5 hits, 3 strikeouts, and no walks. Exira-EHK’s best batter on the night was Austin Rasmussen who went 2-2 with two singles.

Spartans Head Coach Randy Kelly noted that his team was making contact with the pitches.

Coach Kelly’s message to his team after the game was that in baseball, things will not always go your way.

The loss drops Exira-EHK to 4-7 on the year and their next game is on Monday where they will host Glidden Ralston. In that contest coach Kelly hopes to hear his team communicate better throughout the game.

The win for Boyer Valley bumps the Bulldogs record up to 4-6 and they will travel home to take on Coon Rapids-Bayard on Monday.

EUGENE, Ore. – Redshirt freshman Luke Knepp clinched a spot at the World Junior Championships, qualifying for Team USA in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Wednesday.

Knepp posted an 8:54.42, which is the fourth-best time at Iowa, and placed second overall.

The freshman from Bettendorf, Iowa, and Pleasant Valley High School redshirted during indoor and outdoor track season. Knepp competed in five races for the Hawkeyes during cross country season.

“This season has been about focusing on how to adapt to college life and college training,” Knepp said. “I’m fortunate to be at Iowa where we host plenty of competitive indoor meets. I was able to compete unattached while redshirting. I am grateful to have an outstanding coach and teammates that believe in me.”

Knepp rounds out a trio of Hawkeyes that climbed into the top-10 record books in the steeplechase at Iowa in 2024. Sophomore Hayden Kuhn ranks third in program history (8:50.99), while junior Yohana Yual holds the ninth-best mark at 9:02.33.

The World Junior Championships will be held in Lima, Peru, from August 27-31.

Former NASCAR Cup champion Martin Truex Jr. is retiring from full time racing at the end of the season. Truex drives for Joe Gibbs Racing and has won 34 races, including the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series championship. The 43-year-old is the oldest driver in the Cup Series. He made the announcement at the Iowa Speedway.

Truex has been considering retirement for a few years.

Truex says racing in the Cup Series takes a total commitment.

Truex says it is time to slow down.

Sammy Smith hopes returning to his home track will help give his season a boost. The native of Johnston is currently 12th in the Xfinity standings and will be looking for his first trip to victory lane in Saturday’s Hy-Vee Perks 250 at the Iowa Speedway.

Smith raced at the Iowa Speedway in the ARCA Menard Series in 2021 and 2022. He says the repave will make it seem like a different track.

Mason Mitchell has been waiting for his chance to return to the Iowa Speedway. The West Des Moines native won at the Iowa Speedway in 2015 and is taking part in Friday night’s (TONIGHT’S) Atlas 150. It is his first ARCA Menard Series race since his full time team shot down in 2018.

Mitchell says it is thrilling to be part of the first NASCAR Cup Series race at the Iowa Speedway.