Mark Johnson (8) congratulates teammate Tyler Jones after he scores a run, [Click to enlarge]

The 15-1 Cherokee Braves, rated first in Class 2A in Iowa all season long, battled tough to take out a dangerous Sheldon club 7-3 in Lakes Conference baseball action here on July 20th.

Sophomore Cody Ege, one of the Braves leading hitters, rapped two doubles for an RBI and run scored to pace the defending State Champions. Dillon Moye also stroked a run-scoring single for the Braves.

Sophomore pitcher Matt Pitts got the victory, allowing three earned runs on five hits and six walks in 5 2/3 innings worked. He struck out three. Tyler Jones relieved Pitts and got the save, allowing just one hit and no walks in 1 1/3 innings.

"They out-hit us, but we were aggressive on the bases which helped," said veteran Cherokee coach Scott Koch. "Matt did a nice job. He gave us a chance to win."

The Braves are now 15-1, including a perfect 10-0 in the rugged Lakes Conference.