Photo by Troy Banning, for The Messenger Riley Mishler of Webster City (18) is greeted by his teammates after hitting a home run on Thursday evening against St. Edmond. For more photos, please visit CU.freemanjournal.net

WEBSTER CITY — For the first time in 17 years, the Webster City baseball team can call itself North Central Conference champions.

The Lynx clinched at least a share of the league title with a 10-0, five-inning victory over St. Edmond here Thursday night.

Webster City can secure the outright NCC title one of two ways: either with an Algona loss to Iowa Falls-Alden on Friday night or by the Lynx defeating the Bulldogs Monday when they square off.

”I told them that this hasn’t been done since most of you have been alive, so enjoy it,” WCHS head coach Addison Kehoe said. ”No one can ever take it away from you.

”Win, lose or draw, from where we were at the beginning of the season until now, it’s kudos to them because they never stopped believing in themselves.”

Bryan Ferrell and Max Hackbarth combined on a two-hitter, striking out seven.

Riley Mishler had solo home run for the Lynx during a six-run inning. Ferrell also helped his own cause, going 3-for-3 with two RBI.

Caleb Olson added a hit and scored twice, while Romel Martinez was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Earlier in the day, St. Edmond lost to Clear Lake, 13-3 in five innings to complete the regular season.

“We gave both of them too much right at the start,” SEHS head coach Joe Shanks said. “Nick (O’Brien) didn’t have a good feel for his pitches against Clear Lake and we got in a hole right away.

“And against Webster City, we gave them six outs in the first and they took advantage. You just can’t do that against good teams.”

The Gaels are off now until Tuesday when they open postseason play at Rogers Park vs. West Bend-Mallard.