Coach Ken Grunig's squad lost its first two games before leaving nothing to chance in game #3. The Brave Owls erupted to score 14 runs while holding Lac qui Parle Valley to zero. This diamond action was on Tuesday, April 19, at LQPV.
The Brave Owls wasted no time asserting themselves, scoring four runs in the first inning, three in the second and one in the third. They polished things off with a six-run fifth.
Coach Grunig had to feel pleased with the zero errors his team committed. B-H outhit the Eagles 11-5.
The shutout saw Sara Rajewsky and Kendra Schmidgall share the pitching credit. Rajewsky started and tossed the first three innings, to be succeeded by Schmidgall who threw the last two.
The ten-run rule came into play after five innings.
The productive B-H offense included Natasha Wiebold going two-for-four with two runs scored. The other Brave Owl with multiple hits was Schmidgall with two-for-four numbers including a double.
Mackenzie Jensen crossed home plate twice as part of going one-for-three. Datriana Jensen was busy on the basepaths too as this Brave Owl scored three runs as part of her one-for-two afternoon. Datriana's hit was a double.
Brennan Hagen went one-for-three with two runs scored. Sara Rajewsky went one-for-three, Kayla Jones one-for-two, Kelsey Sonnabend one-for-two and Samantha Berens one-for-one.
Tiana Tosel and McKenzie Long each had two hits for Lac qui Parle. Mackenzie Clark had the other Eagle safety.
Rajewsky was the pitcher of record for the winning Brave Owls. She struck out one batter and walked two, and allowed four hits in her three innings.
Kendra Schmidgall struck out a batter but was a little shaky with control as she issued five walks. She allowed one hit in her two innings.
Alyssa Harms did all of LQPV's pitching.
Loss in 14 innings at home
Benson-Hancock hosted rival Morris Area Chokio Alberta on Monday, April 18, in a game that clearly could have gone either way. A winner couldn't be determined in the standard seven innings. The game ended up having twice that duration.
B-H fans could bemoan some prime missed opportunities by the squad. The Brave Owls had runners in scoring position in the eighth through 12th innings.
"What might have beens" don't translate to victory though.
It was the visiting Tigers winning this WCC-South struggle in the 14th inning. They in fact pushed across four runs in the top of the 14th, taking advantage of an unfortunate B-H error. It was an outfield miscue and allowed Tiger Katie Holzheimer to score from second base.
That was the go-ahead run. The Tigers added a cushion after that, and B-H would have to regroup for another day.
The final score: MACA 7, Benson-Hancock 3.
Despite the extended length of this game, each team needed just one pitcher. It was Sara Rajewsky doing the work for Benson-Hancock.
The teams fielded cleanly, each committing just one error. The Tigers outhit B-H 12-9.
Natasha Wiebold had two hits in five at-bats and scored two runs. Mackenzie Jensen picked up three hits in her six at-bats.
Natasha Wiebold had two hits in five at-bats and scored two runs. Mackenzie Jensen picked up three hits in her six at-bats.
Brennan Hagen posted two-for-five numbers with an RBI. Datriana Jensen had a one-for-four evening. Kendra Schmidgall had a double in her five at-bats.
Rajewsky's pitching arm was resilient but she couldn't get the edge on MACA's Mackenzie Weatherly on this day.
The determined Rajewsky struck out four batters, walked five and allowed 12 hits in her 14 innings. Four of the runs she allowed were unearned.
Opener was at Minnewaska
The new season began for the Brave Owls on Tuesday, April 12. A very competitive game developed with Minnewaska Area at the 'Waska diamond.
The teams got going scoring in the third inning and scored regularly the rest of the way. The Brave Owls rallied for four runs in the top of the sixth but they had fallen too far behind prior to that. The host Lakers won this game 9-8.
This was actually the Lakers' fourth game of the season. They outhit the Brave Owls 11-8 and overcame five errors (compared to three by B-H).
Brennan Hagen had an authoritative bat in the season opener. This Brave Owl went two-for-four including a double, and drove in three runs.
Kendra Schmidgall had a double as part of her two-for-four afternoon and drove in a run. Datriana Jensen picked up an RBI and finished one-for-four.
Also hitting safely were Natasha Wiebold (one-for-five), Mackenzie Jensen (one-for-three) and Kelsey Sonnabend (one-for-four).
Kendra Schmidgall was tagged with the pitching loss. Three of the nine runs she allowed were unearned. The Lakers got to her for eleven hits. She struck out two batters and walked one.
Sara Rajewsky pitched one inning and fanned a batter.
Sydney Joos was the winning pitcher for 'Waska. She shared the pitching load with Kaylee Jacobs.
Kaylyn Oberg had a hot bat for the Lakers, going three-for-four with two RBIs.
The Benson-Hancock Brave Owls will host Yellow Medicine East on Monday, April 25, and visit Montevideo Tuesday.
The weather predictions sound encouraging. It's about time.
-Brian Williams - morris mn Minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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