Scores and highlights from Thursday’s Class 1A and 2A semifinals at the Iowa high school baseball state tournament in Des Moines.

Class 1A

Newman Catholic (Mason City) 2, Remsen St. Mary’s 0

The top-seeded Knights took down the defending Class 1A state champion Thursday afternoon at Principal Park. A strong pitching performance from Caden Kratz led the way.

Kratz tossed a three-hit, complete-game shutout, striking out 10 and walking just two to help the Knights (34-3) into the Saturday’s state championship game. Newman Catholic previously won state titles in 2015, 2013, 2009, 2002 and 1998.

The Knights scored both runs in the third inning, thanks to back-to-back doubles from Josh Fitzgerald and Evan Paulus. Remsen St. Mary’s finished the season 28-8.

Remsen…000 000 0 — 0 3 2
Newman Catholic…002 000 X — 2 6 0

WP: Caden Kratz. LP: Jacob Wesselmann.

RELATED: Dowling Catholic beat Mason City to make 4A semifinals

Martensdale-St. Marys 6, Akron-Westfield 1

It’ll be a battle between No. 1 and No. 2 on Saturday for the Class 1A state championship.

Second-seeded Martensdale-St. Marys defeated Akron-Westfield, 6-1, in the second 1A state semifinal Thursday at Principal Park.

The Blue Devils are just one win away from the program’s fifth state championship, the other four coming consecutively between 2009-12. Martensdale-St. Marys (41-4) piled up runs in a hurry, securing the lead in the first inning and refusing to relinquish it.

Kevin Duncan recorded two hits and scored twice while Brady Gavin and Bret Barnett each knocked in a pair. Duncan started the game, pitching 1.2 innings before Gavin took the mound for five innings, striking out 10 in relief.

Austin Allard and Nick Jacobs combined for five hits for Akron-Westfield (32-3).

Saturday’s Class 1A state championship game between Newman Catholic (Mason City) and Martensdale-St. Marys is set for 11 a.m. at Principal Park.

Akron-Westfield…000 000 1 — 1 8 2

Martensdale-St. Marys…102 102 X — 6 7 0

WP: Kevin Duncan. LP: Dylan Irizarry.

MORE STATE BASEBALL: Johnston tops Linn-Mar in 4A quarters after long delay

Cody Goodwin covers high school sports, college basketball recruiting and Drake athletics for The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Twitter at @codygoodwin.