ORANGE CITY, Iowa – For three straight seasons, MOC-Floyd Valley has experienced the same gut-wrenching feeling: a home postseason loss that ended their state tournament dreams. But this year, the Dutchmen are determined to write a different ending.

Last season's heartbreak came in the Substate final, where they fell to Sergeant Bluff-Luton 2-0 in a nine-inning thriller at home. That game, just one win shy of the state tournament, has become the fuel for a team that refuses to let history repeat itself.

Leading the charge is senior Brooks McCarty, a two-way star who dominated the Siouxland Conference last season. The Iowa commit posted a jaw-dropping .500 batting average while leading the conference with 71 total bases and 57 runs. On the mound, he was equally impressive with a microscopic 0.50 ERA. McCarty isn't just a standout athlete—he's the heartbeat of a team that's hungry for redemption.

Alongside him is sophomore Henry Heller, who's quickly establishing himself as one of the top talents in the 2028 class. After a freshman campaign that saw him lead the team with 34 RBI and strike out 46 batters with a 1.43 ERA, Heller is poised for an even bigger sophomore season. "Last year we lost to SB-L and came up one game short of State. That's definitely a motivator," Heller said. "But we've got a lot of upperclassmen, and some sophomores have to step up and make big plays."

The Dutchmen's roster blends veteran leadership with young talent, creating a dynamic that head coach Matt McCarty believes is special. "I think they have really high expectations for themselves," McCarty said. "Their word has been 'intentional.' They've been intentional about showing up every single day, putting in the work, and being present. They know we can't skip ahead to the first game or the postseason. We've got to be intentional about where our feet are, and these guys have done a great job of that."

That mindset is echoed by Brooks McCarty, who sees a team united by a common goal. "Everybody wants to get better, and everybody's willing to take criticism to get better. They're willing to build each other up."

MOC-Floyd Valley opens the season at home against Denison-Schleswig on Monday, May 18th at 7:30 p.m. With a mix of proven stars and rising talent, the Dutchmen are ready to turn past heartbreak into a summer to remember.