Bulldogs score six runs in bottom of seventh inning

Otter Tail Central fell behind early and couldn’t come back in a 2-0 loss to Menahga on Tuesday.

The pitching was strong on both sides. Menahga pitchers struck out four, while OTC sat down two.

The Braves got on the board in the first inning when an error scored one run for Menahga.

A single by Lane Dilly in the first inning was a positive for OTC.

Gavin Pausch took the loss for the Bulldogs as he allowed six hits and two runs over six innings, striking out two and walking zero.

Dilly and Jayden Harig all had one hit to lead OTC.

Menahga saw the ball well today, racking up six hits in the game. Isaiah Usher and Aaron Pietila each collected multiple hits for Menahga. Menahga was sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Liam Torola made the most plays with 11.

Thursday

OTC collected nine hits and Hillcrest Lutheran Academy had nine in the high-scoring affair on Thursday night. Fortunately, the Bulldogs came away with a 17-6 win. 

In the first inning, OTC got their offense started. Lane Dilly drew a walk, scoring one run.

The Bulldogs pulled away for good with seven runs in the second inning. In the second inning, OTC scored one run on a stolen base, Gavin Pausch singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run, Owen Harig singled on a 1-1 count, scoring one run.

Jayden Harig hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored. Owen Buehler’s sac fly scored one run for OTC, Hunter Haugen singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run and Drew Evavold singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.

Kale Misegades got the win for OTC. Misegades surrendered two runs on two hits over three innings, striking out five and walking one. Kaleb Hammes threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen.

Pausch led OTC with two hits in four at bats. Pausch led OTC with four stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with eight stolen bases.

Friday

A walk-off led the Bulldogs past Pillager 6-5 on Friday. The Bulldogs entered the bottom of the seventh inning trailing 5-0, then added 5 hits, hit around the order and score six runs  to win the game. 

Pillager scored three runs in the first inning, but OTC still managed to pull out the victory. The big inning for Pillager came thanks to a single by TJ Swanburg and an error on a ball put in play by Kaden Imdieke.

“We gave up three runs in about nine pitches in the first inning, things were not looking good, but the guys settled in and played good baseball after that,” said head coach Ryan Hendrickson. “Going into the seventh down five, things didn’t look good again but we have some really scrappy baseball guys that got (it) done. Pausch did an excellent job keeping his composure and showed great leadership on the mound, he doesn’t get official credit for the win but he definitely led the way.”  

Evavold gets the win coming out of relief.  

“Drew has proved time and time again that he can compete at the varsity level as an eighth grader,” said Hendrickson. “He earned his first varsity win on the mound today and I couldn’t be more proud of him, he threw really well and also came up with a huge hit in the seventh.”

Pillager opened up scoring in the first inning as they scored a pair of runs.

Drew Evavold was the winning pitcher for OTC as he allowed three hits and two runs over one inning, striking out one and walking one.

Eli Miller took the loss for Pillager. The pitcher went six innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and striking out seven.

Gavin Pausch started the game for OTC and lasted six innings, allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out two and walking one

Owen Harig went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the way for OTC.