Written by Aiden Engel
The 2025 Algona Baseball team had an overall record of 23-9. The Bulldogs were pretty efficient in Conference play, sweeping Iowa-Falls, Clear Lake, Webster City, Hampton-Dumont, St. Edmond’s, and Charles City. The only team they did not sweep was the Humboldt Wildcats, who they split with. With an overall 13-1 record, the Bulldogs won the Conference.
One big tournament from the season was when the Bulldogs traveled to Council Bluffs to play at the Iowa Western field. They took on Glenwood and Lewis Central and won both. These were big wins as Lewis Central was a ranked 4A team at the time.
The postseason was looking pretty promising for the Dogs after their run rule against Charles City in the first round. But that was short lived when they played the Humboldt Wildcats in the second round. The game started off in the Bulldogs’ favor with them being up 3-2 going into the 4th. That's when the Wildcats scored 11 runs in the next two innings to put them far ahead of the Dogs. The final score of the game was 17-9, ending the Bulldogs’ season.
There were many awards given out at the end of the season. Tate Slagle, Aiden Ulrich, Dawson Elesbecker, and Jaxon Eischen were awarded first team All-Conference honors. Mason Ulrich and Wes Streit were awarded second team All-Conference. Aiden Engel was awarded third team All-Conference. Tate Slagle was also selected as All State Super Team All Class pitcher and Aiden Ulrich made the All
State first team as a catcher.
The Bulldogs had six guys graduate with some going on to play at the collegiate level. Those six are Tate Slagle, Aiden Ulrich, Chance Studer, Ace Studer, Sam Schutjer, and Ryan Weier. When asked about the graduating class, Tate Garman said, ”The seniors have a lot of qualities that will be missed.”
Even with graduating that many, over half of the starters from last season will be returning to the Bulldogs as well as many other contributors who will find their way onto the field this upcoming season.