Bulldogs finish conference schedule with a record of 11-3

Otter Tail Central defeated Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale 5-1 on Monday. The Bulldogs move ahead to 11-2 overall and 8-2 in Park Region Conference play. 

OTC opened up scoring in the first inning when Gavin Pausch hit into a fielder’s choice.

The Bulldogs put up 4 runs in the fourth inning. OTC batters contributing to the big inning included Owen Harig, Tyson Misegades and Lane Dilly, who all drove in runs. The Bulldogs started the inning with a fly out to the pitcher, but then Link and Kale Misegades both singled. Owen Harig bunted in Link, moved Kale to second base on a sacrifice RBI bunt. Tyson Misegades then laced a double, Gavin Pausch took a hit by pitch. Misegades and Pausch stole bases and were able to score on a Lane Dilly hard hit ball erred by the shortstop. 

Tyson Misegades got the win for OTC as he surrendered 1 run on 4 hits over 7 innings, striking out 1 and walking 1. 

“Having a defense like ours makes pitching a little bit easier, I know I just have to throw a mix of pitches for strikes and the defense will probably make the play,” said Misegades.  

OTC tallied eight hits on the day. Tyson Misegades and Noah Link each managed multiple hits for the Bulldogs. Link and Misegades all had two hits to lead OTC.

Tuesday

OTC took the lead late in the game in a 6-4 victory over Menahga on Tuesday. The game was tied at four with OTC batting in the bottom of the fifth when Noah Link singled on a 3-1 count, scoring Jayden Harig.

Menahga scored four runs in the fourth inning, but the Bulldogs still managed to pull out the victory. The big inning for Menahga came thanks to a walk by Fordyce Johnson, a single by Brayden Aho, and a groundout by Tyrell Aho. 

“The fourth got a little tough for us but ultimately we were able to close the inning out and get back on track,” said head coach Ryan Hendrickson.

OTC got things started in the first inning when Jayden Harig hit into a fielder’s choice to bring Tyson Misegades across the plate.

In the top of the fourth inning, Menahga tied things up at 4-4 when Aho singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.

OTC tallied three runs in the third inning when Harig and Hunter Haugen drove in runs.

Link was credited with the victory for OTC as he pitched 3 innings, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out 1 and walking no hitters.  

“He has come in relief this year in a couple really tough spots and has done a fantastic job,” said asisstant coach Dakota Aeling of Link’s first win. 

Lane Dilly started the game for OTC as he pitched 4 innings, allowing 4 hits and 4 runs, while striking out 4. 

“Lane was a true bulldog on the mound.  He battled through long counts and a couple errors behind him.  He kept pounding the strike zone and put us in a spot to get things done,” said Hendrickson. 

OTC scattered 11 hits in the game with Tyson Misegades and Jayden Harig finishing 3 hits apiece.

Thursday 

Thursday’s game began with honoring the seniors and their families of OTC. 

The Bulldogs are led by their Senior group of Hunter Haugen, Garrett Nelson, Jayden Harig and Tyson Misegades.  

“This is a special group of guys. They have really worked hard to be were they are at,” said head coach Ryan Hendrickson. “Our seniors lead by example everyday, on and off of the field.  They are selfless in their dedication to their teams and communities. I have really appreciated them and their families, they are all outstanding people.” 

OTC snatched the lead late in the game in a 2-1 victory over Parkers Prairie on Thursday. The game was tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning with OTC batting in the bottom of the fifth when Jayden Harig’s sac fly scored Tyson Misegades for the Bulldogs.  

Tyson Misegades led the fifth inning off with another single.  Misegades was moved to second base as Gavin Pausch beat out a bunt for an infield single. Lane Dilly hit into a fielders choice, moving Misegades to third base. Up to plate came Jayden Harig who hit a shallow fly ball to the center fielder.  Tyson Misegades was able to score on a bang bang play at the plate on the sacrifice fly, which proved to be the winning run. 

“This score, and win, showed how we are able to score in various ways, it is so much fun watching these guys play.  We were able to get on, beat out a bunt, move em over, and sac fly em in,” said Hendrickson. “All the while making exciting plays in the field, and on top of everything our battery was about perfect. Gavin and Jayden had something special going tonight.”

The pitching was strong on both sides. OTC’s Gavin Pausch struck out two, while Nolan Steidl sat down three.

OTC got things moving in the first inning.  Tyson Misegades led the inning off with a lead off single to right field, he then stole second base. After Misegades got to second base Gavin Pausch laced a double to the left center gap, scoring Misegades. After OTC gained their 1-0 lead the game was at a standstill as OTC was showing off their defensive skills.  Parkers was putting guys into scoring position but OTC kept finding ways to get them out.  

In the fourth inning Parkers Prairie led off with a single by Steidl, but then had their next batter hit into a nifty double play made by Owen Harig. With two outs the Panthers had 3 guys reach base by hits, but Gavin Pausch induced a tough ground ball to Kale Misegades at second base. Misegades ranged deep and far to his glove side, made a great play and was able to end the inning by way of a 4-3 putout. 

Parkers Prairie was able to score in the fifth inning to tie the game 1-1. With one out Parkers Prairie batter Revering hit a double and was able to score off of a tough play ruled an error and that was their only score of the game. OTC’s defense was making great plays all game, highlighted by Drew Evavold’s two remarkable diving catches in left field. Both of his high effort plays saved runs and got the Bulldogs back to momentum.  

Pausch took the win for OTC as he went 7 innings, allowing 1 run on 6 hits, striking out 2 and walking 1.

OTC collected six hits on the day with Pausch leading the way by going 3-for-3 at the plate.

Friday

The Bulldogs moved to 11-3 in the Park Region Conference and clinched at least a piece of the conference championship. At the time of press, OTC is tied with New York Mills with three losses in the conference. The Eagles played Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale on Monday night and needed to win both games to tie the Bulldogs for a share of the conference title. 

If BHV takes at least one of two games then the Bulldogs would take the championship outright.  

“I am so dang proud of this team,” said head coach Ryan Hendrickson. “They have truly earned all of their success this year.  They have played together for several years now and continue to improve everyday. A lot of these guys were playing varsity ball now for 2-3 years where we have gone from 4 wins, to 9 wins and now sitting at 14 wins this year. I can not explain how hard they have worked and how focused they have been towards improvement, this has been an outstanding ride with them. One goal was met but Our total mission is not accomplished. We have some section games next week that are going to be very important for section playoff seedings. I believe in these guys to keep moving forward towards a section championship now.”

OTC defeated Pillager 8-1 by consistently putting runs on the scoreboard on Friday.

The Bulldogs got things moving in the first inning, when OTC scored 2 runs on a stolen base.

Lane Dilly got the win for OTC as he surrendered no runs on 4 hits over 5 innings, striking out 3 and walking 1.

Kale Misegades started the game for the Bulldogs and allowed 1 hit and 1 run over 2 innings, striking out 1.

OTC tallied 11 hits with Noah Link, Gavin Pausch and Misegades each racked up multiple hits for OTC. 

In the second game of the night, Pillager defeated OTC despite being outhit 6-4. 

Noah Link took the loss for OTC as he went 7 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and striking out 7.

Tyson Misegades led OTC with 2 hits in 4 at bats.