Montezuma baseball, softball players reach strikeout milestones

​       Montezuma’s Leah Urfer, who will be a senior in the fall, reached the 200 strikeout milestone in her prep career in a home game against Baxter on June 20. She has been playing softball for 10 years, including two years of T-ball. Urfer said reaching the 200 strikeout milestone shows how much she has grown in the last four years. Submitted photo.

J.O. Parker
 
            Two Montezuma athletes have reached milestones of 200 strikeouts in their prep careers.
            Luke Erselius, who is a 2026 Montezuma graduate, reached the 200 strikeout milestone in home game against Lynnville-Sully on Friday, June 26.
            And on the softball side, Leah Urfer, who will be a senior in the fall at Montezuma, reached the 200 strikeout milestone in a home game against Baxter on Saturday, June 20.
Luke Erselius
            Erselius, who has been playing baseball ever since he could pick up a baseball and bat, loves the game.
            He started playing T-ball and played little league, junior high and high school.
            He mostly pitches for the Braves, but on occasion this year played shortstop and first base.
            When asked what he enjoys the most about baseball, Erselius said the team aspect of the game.
          “I’ve been our captain for around three years,” he said. “I get to lead our players around as a player and help out the coaches a bit.”
           When asked about reaching the 200 strikeout milestone, Erselius said it’s kind of a big moment all the way from eighth grade until now.
            “Pitching has become one of my favorite things to do in sports,” said Erselius.
            As soon as the season wraps up, Erselius will be headed to Marine bootcamp in San Diego, Calif.
           It’s been his goal for years to be in the military and have a way to serve and give back to others in his community.
            His plans are to be a firefighter in the Marines.
          Josh Anderson, who has coached Luke the last six years, said he is a very humbled and level-headed young man. And he’s a hard worker.
            Anderson said the Erselius family has a batting cage in their machine shed, so he can get better at pitching. And his twin sister, Claire, has a basketball goal in the machine shed.
            “He’s one of the better kids that I have coached that has come through Montezuma,” noted Coach Anderson. “The most important thing about Luke is that he’s a great teammate. He’s a great kid that wants everyone to do well.”
            In addition to baseball, Erselius played football at Montezuma and has run track in the past.
Leah Urfer
            Urfer started playing T-ball and played through the ranks of little league, junior high and high school.
            Urfer mostly pitches, but on occasion has started at first and third base.
            When asked about playing softball, Urfer said she really enjoys the team aspect of the game.
            “If I don’t strike a girl out, my team is always there to cover for me,” she said.
            Urfer said hitting the 200 strikeout mark is a huge milestone for her.
            “It shows how much I have grown in the last four years,” she said.
            Following graduation from Montezuma in 2027, Urfer plans to attend Iowa State University to major in biochemistry with a minor in business or marketing on a pre-dental track. She wants to be an oral surgeon.
            She is also a queen candidate at this year’s Poweshiek County Fair.
            Megan Van Zante, the Bravettes assistant coach, said Leah has worked very hard this year.
            “Having had hip surgery her freshman year, she bounced back her sophomore year and this year has been her best so far,” said Van Zante. “She has been very consistent on the mound. Her strikeouts have gotten a lot more from last year.”
            In addition to softball, Urfer enjoys playing volleyball at Montezuma.

​       Montezuma’s Luke Erselius, who graduated in May, reached the 200 strikeout milestone in a home game against Lynnville-Sully on June 26. When asked what he enjoys the most about baseball, Erselius said the team aspect of the game. Erselius will be leaving for Marine bootcamp this month. Submitted photo.