Win sends Trojans back to face Kee Thursday

   The baseball field at New Albin holds a certain mystique for Turkey Valley coach Dan Stepan, with good reason.    Under legendary coach Gene Schultz, the Kee High program — which plays its games at New Albin — won four consecutive state baseball titles in Class 1A and Schultz was the winningest baseball coach in the nation.    Evan Busta wouldn’t remember the four straight titles, since they came back in the late 80s and early 90s.    But the Trojan pitcher landed nine strikeouts at the same scenic Kee field Tuesday as Turkey Valley was defeating Tripoli in the first round of district action, 4-1.    “I was more nervous than usual,” Busta said. “But I like playing here, it’s a nice field.”    Busta’s ERA on the night was a 1.17, just over his season average of 1.00.    “I have a better control over my pitches than I did last year, that’s for sure,” said the TV senior.    Although Busta had the best ERA on the team last year, that 4.35 was a far cry from this year’s average, which ranked second in the Upper Iowa Conference among pitchers with five or more innings under their belts.    “Evan pitched well, everybody did their part tonight,” said Stepan. “It makes it much easier to win when they do that.”
   For the full story, please see the July 14 Tribune. Turkey Valley will play Kee High Thursday, July 13 at 7 p.m. in New Albin.