Robinson ends Lenox career with first team selection

CNA photo by BEN FROTSCHER All-Stater: LenoxÕs Seth Robinson is named to the Iowa Newspaper Association All-State teams released today. Robinson is tabbed as a first team pitcher after the Tigers made the state tournament for the third consecutive year.

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DES MOINES — Another year, another first-team all-state pitcher for the Lenox baseball team. For the third consecutive year, a Lenox pitcher made the Iowa Newspaper Association All-State First Team and this year, it’s Seth Robinson. Robinson led the Tigers back to the state tournament for the third consecutive year with an 11-2 record on the mound. He struck out a total of 126 batters over the 66 2/3 innings this season while walking 41 and allowing just 20 hits. Going into the state tournament, Robinson had the lowest earned run average of any Class 1A pitcher (0.34 ERA). The senior left-hander threw three main pitches — overhand curveball, slider and the fast ball. “He was our workhorse,” said Lenox coach Steve Westphal. “He did a great job. He was one of the best left-handed pitchers for us and he’s very well deserving. I was hoping the state would recognize him in some way and anytime you can get a team to the state tournament, you have to have talent on the mound and he was our talent.” And starting pitching has been the reason why Lenox has made it to the state tournament the past three years. In 2006, Jake Samo led the Tigers to the Class 1A crown. Samo pitched Lenox to two wins before pitching 7-of-8 innings against Sentral of Fenton in the finals. In 2007, Alex Peterson led the Tigers to state and pitched a strong outing against Iowa Mennonite, allowing just four hits. But IMS prevailed by a 2-1 score, eventually winning the state title last year. But Robinson joins the company of Samo and Peterson as first-team INA All-State selections at the pitching position. “It feels pretty good,” said Robinson. “It’s kind of what I’ve been going for — it was one of my goals. First team in football and there aren’t very many people that can say they’re a first-team all-starter in two sports.” Robinson was a first team selection on the defensive line this past fall for Lenox football coach Allen Dukes and he was a third team selection on the defensive line his junior year. During the fall football season, Robinson had 61 tackles on defense — 12 for a loss. On offense as quarterback, Robinson had 723 rushing yards and 865 passing yards for a total of 35 touchdowns. In 2006, Robinson was a starter on the runner-up team in Eight-Man, losing to Glidden-Ralston in the finals. And in baseball, the offensive numbers were strong for Robinson. In late June, Robinson was hitting at .620, but he did cool down to a .541 batting average. Starting all 28 games for the Tigers, Robinson had 14 extra base hits and was walked 20 times in 72 at-bats — the most of any team member. Robinson is the fifth Lenox baseball player in the past three years to be selected as an INA All-Stater, joining Alex Peterson and Trey Christensen in 2007 and Jake Samo and Kalab Evans in 2006. In 2006, the Tigers won the state title for the first time in 61 years of Lenox baseball — winning 10-5 over Sentral of Fenton in eight innings. On that team, Robinson was a starting center fielder, and the past two years, he’s been at first base and on the mound. Between three straight years in the state football playoffs and state baseball tournament, Robinson has seen a lot of postseason play. “I’ve been on six state qualifying teams and each one was different, but each one was great,” said Robinson. It was a lot of fun. We had a good season this year. We did some good things and we got back to the state tournament.” Now that Robinson is leaving Lenox, he’ll be headed to Iowa State University to major in ag business. Robinson, along with Grant Calvin and Trey Christensen are graduating seniors from the 2008 Lenox baseball squad. “Between Seth, Grant and Trey, they were all pretty big components in the team getting back to state this year,” said Westphal. “They were the leaders.” Calvin, Christensen and Tyler Peterson were nominated as well for INA recognition, along with Murray’s Caleb Byers and both Michael West and Galen Geidel of Orient-Macksburg. INA All-State Baseball Team Class 1A First Team Pitchers — Mark Hennessy, Kee, Sr., 6-2, 2.72 ERA; Seth Robinson, Lenox, Sr., 11-1, 0.33 ERA; Reggie Hochstetler, IMS, Sr., 10-0, 0.91 ERA. Catcher — Jordan Adams, Mason City Newman, Jr., .519. First Base — Danny Hershberger, IMS, Jr., .474. Infield — Levi Ney, IMS, Sr., .580; Quin Schultz, Kee, Sr., .520; Clay Welter, Don Bosco, So., .506. Outfield — Aaron Siefken, North Sentral Kossuth, Sr., .484; Phil Hotchkiss, Grandview Park Baptist, Sr., .467; Eric Rohe, Le Mars Gehlen, Sr., .443. Utility — Shaun McGuire, North Sentral Kossuth, Sr., .374, 9-2, 1.86 ERA; Alan Bladt, AHST, Sr., .333, 5-4 2.16 ERA. Second Team Pitchers — Kyle McCann, Mason City Newman, Jr., 9-0, 2.00 ERA; Jake Davis, North Mahaska, Jr., 9-0, 1.62 ERA; Trevor Roberts, Twin Cedars, Sr., 7-3, 2.13 ERA. Catcher — Chris Rock, North Sentral Kossuth, Jr., .399. First Base — Logan Dumolien, Lisbon, Jr., .412. Infield — Aaron Brown, New London, Jr., .568; Bo Murley, Janesville, Jr., .649; Jon Lewerke, Mason City Newman, Jr., .417. Outfield — Bryce Deeth, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Jr., .308; Lucas Mechaelsen, Northeast Hamilton, Sr., .474; Sean Hogan, Kee, Sr., .465. Utility — Reggie Kock, Ar-We-Va, Jr., .327, 9-2-1, 0.57 ERA; Brian Gliem, East Greene, Sr., .366, 6-3 1.62 ERA. Third Team Pitchers — Noah Rapp, Northeast Hamilton, Sr., 11-2, 2.90 ERA; Nate Brueggeman, Harris-Lake Park, Sr., 6-3, 2.33 ERA; Craig Schlesser, Le Mars Gehlen, Sr., 6-2, 2.30 ERA. Catcher — Ryan Schares, Don Bosco, Sr., .418. First Base — Tanner Shonka, Tripoli, Sr., .514. Infield — Danny Pattee, AHST, Sr., .452; Adam Elbert, Clay Central-Everly, Sr., .532; Ryan Powers, Calamus-Wheatland, Sr., .508. Outfield — Phil Maze, North Sentral Kossuth, Sr., .409; Bryce Hasley, H-L-V, Jr., .427; Jarred Stepp, Midland, Jr., .477. Utility — Dylan Frascht, Van Meter, Sr., .404, 6-2, 2.19 ERA; Andy Cox, Montezuma, Sr., .476, 3-6, 1.89 ERA. Captain — Reggie Hochstetler, Iowa Mennonite. Hochstetler led IMS to its first state baseball title in 2007. This season, he compiled an 11-0 record and pitched the team to the state tournament once again. Going into the state tournament, opposing teams were hitting just .128 against him. —————— Ben Frotscher can be reached at 782-2141, ext. 246 or bfrotscher@crestonnews.com