Bulldogs outscore opponents 60-11 on way to state 13u championship

The Otter Tail Central 13u team defeated Staples-Motley 12-0 on Thursday as two pitchers combined to throw a shutout. AJ Woodworth (draftee from Parkers Prairie) induced a groundout to end the game for the Bulldogs.

OTC got things moving in the first inning, when Drew Evavold singled on a 3-2 count, scoring one run.

The Bulldogs notched six runs in the fourth inning. OTC big bats were led by Kale Misegades, Ayden Olson, Kaleb Hammes, Bradyn Roisum and Ryan Despard, all knocking in runs in the inning.

Misegades led the OTC to victory on the mound as he surrendered zero runs on zero hits over three innings, striking out four and walking zero. Woodworth threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen. 

“Our pitching and defense were on point today,” said coach Ryan Hendrickson. “I couldn’t ask for anything more than they gave, a competitive attitude and complete focus.  On top of great pitching and defense, our baserunning was pretty awesome.  We were able to be really aggressive, taking 12 stolen bases, putting ourselves in great position to score.” 

Olson went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead OTC in hits.

In the second game of the day, Kale Misegades finished with four hits to lead the Bulldogs to an 18-1 win over Detroit Lakes. Misegades singled in the first, singled in the first, doubled in the third, and singled in the fourth.

OTC got on the board in the first inning when OTC scored one run on a stolen base.

Ayden Olson was credited with the victory for OTC. The pitcher lasted three innings, allowing one hit and zero runs while striking out four and walking zero. Quenton Beske threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen.

OTC tallied 15 hits. Misegades, Collin Lukken, Kaleb Hammes, Beske, and Drew Evavold all managed multiple hits for OTC. Misegades led OTC with four hits in four at bats. OTC tore up the base paths, as three players stole at least two bases. Olson led the way with three.

Friday

OTC snagged a late lead and defeated Paynesville 6-5  to improve to 3-0 in pool play on Friday. The game was tied at 5-5 with OTC batting in the bottom of the sixth inning when Ayden Olson drew a walk, scoring one run.

The Bulldogs got things started in the second inning when Quenton Beske grounded out, scoring one run.

Kaleb Hammes pitched OTC to victory as he pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out five and walking one. Beske and Drew Evavold entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief, Beske recorded a save.  

Collin Lukken led OTC with two hits in three at bats. OTC tore up the base paths, as four players stole at least two bases. Kale Misegades led the way with three.

Saturday

OTC move to 4-0 in the state tournament after defeating New York Mills 10-0 in 5 innings on Saturday.

Misegades led the Bulldogs on the mound and Despard led the team at the plate. Misegades threw a complete game 5 innings, 2 hits, no runs and 3 strike outs. Despard led the team offensively with 3 hits, 3 runs and 2 RBIs. The Bulldogs combined for 10 runs on 5 hits, 7 walks and 4 strikeouts. 

The Bulldogs have had four players named MVP so far in the tournament. Drew Evavold, Kaleb Hammes, Kale Misegades  and Ryan Despard have led the way both offensively,  defensively, and on the mound. 

Earlier on Saturday the Bulldogs Beat New York Mills, and then battled out another victory versus Perham 8-2 to move to the state championship game. 

Ayden Olson started on the mound for the Bulldogs and earned the win as he went 4 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned run, 1 walk, 1 strikeout to have Kaleb Hammes come in to earn the 3 inning save. Hammes went 3 innings, 4 hits, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. 

“With having won our first four games in 20 innings fashion we were able to save all, but Beske for pitchers moving into bracket play. So far that has really paid off. Our pitching has been fantastic and over powering,” said coach Ryan Hendrickson. 

Even though the pitching has gotten a lot of credit, the bats were also very lively for OTC as they went 8 runs on 11 hits, 7 RBIs, 9 walks, 2 strike outs and stealing 4 more bases.  

“On top of playing really well, our team effort and mentality has been spot on. We have 20 guys trying to accomplish one team goal and it has been really fun to be a part of, I am just really fortunate to get to be a part of their mission, everybody is in it to win it,” said Hendrickson.

Sunday

The OTC Bulldogs defeated Baxter 16-3 to win the state championship. The Bulldogs went 6-0 in state play by defeating their opponents by a combined 60-11 margin. Their closest game was a 6-5 win over Paynesville on Friday afternoon. 

“This is pretty special for everyone, we are really proud of these boys and their efforts. This is the first group that started our elementary travel ball leagues five years ago, organized by Kellen Shebeck,  and now we are really seeing the time and work of players, families, and communities pay off,” said Hendrickson. “I am super proud of everyone committed to our baseball programs especially these players. This has been a very special group of players and a season I will never forget and I hope they never forget either.” 

In the championship game, Drew Evavold gave Baxter 13u fits, as he bagged four hits in OTC’s 16-3 victory on Sunday.  Evavold doubled in the first, singled in the fourth, doubled in the fifth, and doubled in the seventh.

OTC scored on a double by Evavold in the first inning, a single by Kale Misegades in the second inning, and a double by Ayden Olson in the second inning.

Baxter 13u evened things up at one in the bottom of the first inning when they scored one run on a stolen base.

OTC pulled away for good with four runs in the second inning.  In the second Misegades singled on a 1-2 count, scoring two runs and Olson doubled on a 1-1 count, scoring two runs.

OTC put up four runs in the seventh inning.  The rally was led by groundouts by Olson and Ryan Despard, a single by Breidyn Solberg, and a double by Evavold.

AJ Woodworth was the winning pitcher for OTC as he surrendered three runs on one hit over four innings, striking out five.  Evavold threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen.

“I am proud of us and really enjoyed being with the guys. It was fun committing to a common goal together” Kale Misegades, another tournament MVP said “this was a great team to be a part of, we all are really good friends, I can’t wait to continue our baseball careers together, it was fun that everybody rooted for each other, this was awesome,” Dylan Evavold, who was named as tournament MVP. 

OTC totaled 16 hits with Evavold, Despard, Collin Lukken, Olson, and Misegades all collecting  multiple hits. Evavold led OTC with four hits in four at bats.  OTC didn’t commit a single error in the field. Bradyn Roisum had  seven chances in the field, the most on the team.  OTC stole 14 bases during the game as five players stole more than one. Evavold led the way with four.