Bulldogs edge Comets to remain unbeaten

Lane Dilly connects with a hit during last week’s game against Menahga.

Lane Dilly was tough on the mound as the Otter Tail Central Bulldogs were victorious against Pelican Rapids Vikings 4-1 on Monday at Pelican Rapids High School.

“Lane was pretty awesome tonight.  He was able to go the complete game and pretty well dominate overall,” said head coach Ryan Hendrickson. “Having a solid defense behind him is a lot of fun to watch as a coach. Lane and the defense got us out of a couple of tight spots, we just know that we can count on Lane to compete everytime all the time.” 

Gavin Pausch was once again solid on the mound as the Bulldogs defeated the Braves on the road.

OTC got on the board in the first inning after Owen Harig singled to lead off the game, bunted over to second by Gaving Pausch and then later able to scored a run. 

The Bulldogs added another run when Soren Floden scored in the second off of a Noah Link single. 

Ayden Olson homered to left field, scoring two runs in the top of the fourth for OTC.

Dilly earned the win OTC as he gave up four hits and one run over seven innings, striking out nine and walking two. 

“It’s fun playing behind Lane because he is always throwing tough strikes, keeps us in the game,” said Harig.

Olson seized on their opportunities, leading OTC with two runs batted in from the number seven spot in the lineup. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-3 on the day. 

Link, Eric Fick, Olson and Floden each collected one hit for the Bulldogs. Ottertail Central Bulldogs were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single. error. 

Olson made the most plays with 10. 

“As a catcher I get to see a lot of pitches, with the homerum I saw it well and just put a good swing on it. Our defense was a lot of fun to watch today and Lane was really hitting his spots with his mix of pitches,” said Olson. 

Tuesday

OTC won its fifth straight game to open the season with a 12-5 win over Menahga on Tuesday night. 

OTC opened the scoring in the top of the first inning thanks to a lead off single by Owen Harig, Kale Misegades and Lane Dilly was hit by a pitch. Soren Floden then scortched a linedrive into right center field for a 2-run single. 

The Bulldogs added two runs in the second when Dilly doubled to right center field to score  Owen Harig and Gavin Pausch, making the score 5-0.

OTC added one run in the third on a wild pitch.

The Braves scored five runs on six hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Brayden Aho singled, scoring one run, Fordyce Johnson singled, scoring two runs, Jed Skoog singled, scoring one run, and one run scored on another play.

The Bulldogs scored five runs on two hits in the top of the sixth inning. Kale Misegades singled, scoring two runs, Floden hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run, Conner Thompson laid a perfect squeeze bunt to bring Dilly in from third base.

Gavin Pausch earned the win for OTC as he allowed nine hits and five runs (four earned) over four innings, striking out one and walking none. 

Kale Misegades collected the save after coming into the game with two runners on and nobody out after Menahga scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Misegades shut down Menahga, getting out of the jam. 

“Both pitchers did a great job tonight,” said Assistant Coach Dakota Aeling. “Gavin gave us a great start and Kale got us out of a jam and finished really strong.” 

OTC amassed 10 hits in the game. Floden provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the Bulldogs with three runs batted in. He went 1-for-2 on the day. 

Noah Link went 3-4 at the plate to lead OTC in hits. Harig and Eric Fick each collected multiple hits for OTC. 

Thursday

OTC won big over Hillcrest Lutheran Comets on Thursday at Delagoon Park by a score of 19-2 onThursday. The win improves the Bulldogs to 6-0 on the season. 

The Bulldogs jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning after an error scored two runs, Noah Link grounded out, scoring one run, Ayden Olson singled, scoring two runs, and a wild pitch scored one run.

OTC extended its early lead with two runs in the top of the second thanks to RBI singles by Lane Dilly and Link.

The Bulldogs scored six runs on five hits in the top of the third inning. Gavin Pausch singled, scoring two runs, Soren Floden tripled, scoring three runs and Link singled, scoring one run.

OTC scored five runs on four hits in the top of the fifth inning. Gavin Pausch singled, scoring one run, Dawson Bushman singled, scoring one run, Ollin Link drew a walk, scoring one run, Rowan Finseth singled, scoring one run, and Quenton Beske was struck by a pitch, driving in a run

Eric Fick eaned the win on the mound as he  gave up no hits and no runs over two innings, striking out four and walking none. 

OTC collected 12 hits in the game. Owen Harig, Link and Pausch each collected two hits for the Bulldogs. Link, Pausch, Floden and Dilly each drove in three runs for OTC.