Avery Gatzemeyer

After the spring sports season was cancelled last year due to the effects of COVID-19, many did not know what the quality of play would look like this year due to having nearly two years since baseball and softball teams were allowed to compete.

For the Valley Falls baseball team they showed no rust whatsoever last week in a sweep of Lebo to open the season behind a big performance from junior Avery Gatzemeyer who was strong in both wins.

In the Dragons opening 18-3 win Gatzemeyer went 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBI and two runs scored including a solo home run along with a pair of singles.

He followed that up with two more hits and two more RBI in Valley Falls’ 7-2 win in game two while also tossing six shutout innings allowing just one hit, striking out 13 and only walking two.

Gaztemeyer finished the day going 5-for-8 at the plate with four RBI while scoring two runs to go along with his strong performance on the mound.

This comes after a solid summer baseball season last year where he was named a Northeast Kansas League selection for the Valley Falls legion team.

Gatzemeyer will look to continue his strong play and potentially lead the Dragons to a state tournament berth with Valley Falls set to host Osage City Tuesday night.