Kolten Gesser pitches Seton Catholic past La Center 1-0 to clinch Trico League baseball title

May 5-LA CENTER - In one of its biggest games of the season, Seton Catholic got a vintage performance from an ace pitcher to clinch another Class 1A Trico League baseball title.

Kolten Gesser threw a complete game, allowing just two hits as the Cougars beat La Center 1-0 on Tuesday to repeat as league champs.

The senior right-hander had perhaps his best outing of the season, striking out eight and walking four. A La Center win would have forced a winner-take-all clash Thursday in the final game of the regular season.

With La Center pitching its ace in Gunnar Schockelt, it wasn't surprising that a small margin made the difference.

Though Gesser had struggled with pitch-control issues early in the season, Seton coach Ted Wieczorek has no doubt in his ace.

"He's been working hard all year to get back on track," Wieczorek said. "Every week he's gotten better and better. He's a competitor. I'll give him the ball every time to win a game."

Wieczorek threw in a wrinkle for Tuesday's showdown. Graham Dumas made his first start at catcher after starting in right field all season.

"Just getting a bigger target back there for Kolten to throw to was our thought process," Wieczorek said. "He's more than capable of catching it."

Behind the plate, Dumas had the best seat at La Center High School to watch Gesser work. That included stranding two runners in both the fourth and seventh innings.

"Everything was dialed," Dumas said. "It was Kolten's day. It flowed."

Dumas also had one of the game's biggest hits, a two-out double in the top of the fourth. Colin Hogaboom followed with a single to score courtesy runner Ben Ratigan, who narrowly beat the tag at home plate.

That was all the run support Gesser needed. Though Schockelt nearly matched him in throwing frame after scoreless frame, Gesser didn't approach it like a pitcher's duel.

"I try not to think about the other team, just control what I can control and throw a shutout every time out," Gesser said. "That's my goal. If I do that then I know we're going to win."

Seton Catholic (16-3 overall, 13-0 league) and La Center (15-4,11-2) had been on a collision course all season heading into their two-game series to cap league play. The Wildcats, who reached last year's Class 1A state title game, had won the previous four Trico League titles before Seton claimed the crown in 2025.

"We knew this would be a great game," Wieczorek said. "It was on our calendar all year. Schockelt did fantastic. Hats off to him. But it's just one play here or there."

Gesser described winning the Trico title like finishing the first of three seasons. The district playoffs are the second season and the state tournament is the third.

"We'll celebrate after the season but right now we're keeping the ride going," Gesser said.

Now winners of nine consecutive games, the Cougars are hitting their stride after graduating five of nine starters from last season. Four sophomores have stepped into the starting lineup.

"We have confidence in all of our guys," Gesser said. "That makes the game light. It feels fun and you don't have to worry about anything when you trust all your players."

Unlock all stories. Stay informed.

Starting at just $1.99/week

Become a subscriber and get unlimited access to every story, plus our ePaper and app for seamless reading anywhere. Stay informed, support local journalism, and stay connected to your community.

Subscribe today

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.