Bulldogs have 11 game win streak snapped

Lane Dilly became Otter Tail Centrlal’s all-time winning pitcher with his 15th career win last week. 

Otter Tail Central tied the longest consecutive winning streak in program history by defeating Pillager 4-0 on Tuesday at Pillager High School. The Bulldogs moved to 10-0 on the season.

OTC got on the board in the fifth inning when Ayden Olson reached base via an error on the second baseman. After Olson, Eric Fick also reached on an error, this time from the shortstop position. That turned the Bulldog lineup to the top of the order. Owen Harig reached base and loaded the bases with a bunt single. Kale Misegades then singled on an RBI single on a squeeze play, scoring Olson. 

Kale Misegades tracks down a ball during a recent game in Henning.

“We were able to take advantage of some small ball and executed well in the fifth,” said head coach Ryan Hendrickson.

Harig homered to right field, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth for the OTC. That hommer scored Olson, Fick and Harig. 

“The homer was absolutely clutch. Owen isn’t really known as a power hitter, just an overall good hitter. He barreled that ball up well and let it fly. That was a huge spot for us, Owen was clutch,” said Hendrickson.

Lane Dilly earned the win for OTC. The starting pitcher gave up two hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking two. 

“Lane was absolutely awesome tonight,” said Hendrickson. “He was able to keep a very good pillager team on their heels and kept them guessing. He has been a huge part of our success,  we are incredibly proud of this kid.”

Dilly and Misegades were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits for OTC. Harig led OTC with three runs batted in he went 1-for-4 on the day. Ayden Olson stole two bases. OTC ran wild on the base paths, amassing six stolen bases for the game.

Thursday

OTC made it 11 straight wins on Thursday as they defeated Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale. 

The OTC Bulldog ‘24 team set their new all time record for consecutive wins in a row, at 11 surpassing the impressive 2015 Bulldogs. 

“The record means a lot, we have worked hard to put ourselves into this position.  Winning 11 in a row takes a lot of team effort, we are proud of our accomplishments so far,” said Lane Dilly. 

Dilly also became OTC’s most winningest pitcher of all time also. When the Bulldogs won their 10th game of this season, Dilly was on the mound vs Pillager Tuesday night.  With that win, Dilly earned himself his 15th career win, which set the new bar. 

“I am incredibly proud of Lane for such an accomplishment.  He set the new bar ahead of some real standout players.  Lane has been our ace for a couple years now, and always faces our toughest opponents, his wins did not come easy,” said Hendrickson. 

Other top win totals include: 2012-15 Nick Trosdahl 14, 1993-95 Eric Olson 13, 2000-02 Ben Aakre 12, 2008-10 Jeff Hamann 12, 2009-11 Brett Collins 11, 1995-97 Shawn Linder 10.

Owen Harig drove in four runs on two hits to lead OTC pest Bertha Hewitt-Verndale 16-4 on Thursday at Bertha Hewitt Public School. Harig doubled in the second inning, scoring two runs, and doubled in the third inning, scoring two.

OTC got on the board in the top of the first inning after Kale Misegades singled, scoring two runs, and Soren Floden doubled, scoring one run.

OTC scored seven runs on four hits in the top of the second Inning. Lane Dilly drew a walk, scoring one run, Conner Thompson drew a walk, scoring one run, Ayden Olson singled, scoring two runs, Eric Fick singled, scoring one run and Harig doubled, scoring two runs

OTC scored five runs on three hits in the top of the third inning. Conner Thompson singled, scoring two runs, Fick drew a walk, scoring one. run, and Harig doubled, scoring two runs

Noah Link pitched the win for OTC. The righty allowed six hits and four runs (three earned) over four innings, striking out six and walking three. Gavin Pausch threw one inning of shutout ball for OTC in relief. Gavin gave up zero hits, striking out one and walking none

OTC amassed 13 hits in the game with Pausch leading the way with three hits in four at bats. Soren Floden and Conner Thompson each collected multiple hits for OTC. Ayden Olson and Conner Thompson each stole multiple bases for OTC. 

Later in the day, New York Mills ended OTC’s win streak with an 11-1 win on Thursday night in Bertha.

New York Mills got on the board in the top of the first inning after Bode Roberts doubled, and OTC committed an error, each scoring one run.

A fielder’s choice by Teagan Lausten extended the New York Mills lead to 3-1 in the top of the second inning.

New York Mills extended their early lead with two runs in the top of the third thanks to RBI singles by Blake Unger and Grady Roberts.

Teagan Lausten earned the win for New York Mills. Lausten surrendered four hits and one run (zero earned) over seven innings, striking out five and walking three. 

Kale Misegades pitched four innings in relief for OTC. The reliever surrendered seven hits and five runs (three earned) while, striking out one and walking three. Gavin Pausch took the loss for OTC. Pausch went three innings, giving up five runs (three earned) on six hits, striking out two and walking. one

Noah Link, Eric Fick, Soren Floden, and Misegades each collected one hit for OTC. Link went 1-for-2 at the plate as the center fielder led the team with one run batted in. OTC turned one double play in the game.

Friday

OTC fell to Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines 4-3 on Friday on the final play of the game. The game was tied at three in the bottom of the seventh inning when Gunner Olson scored the game winning RBI on a squeeze bunt. 

OTC lost despite out-hitting Wadena-Deer Creek eight to seven. Kale Misegades led OTC with three hits.

The Bulldogs were the first to get on the board in the third when Lane Dilly singled, scoring one run.

A double by Connor Dutke gave Wadena-Deer Creek the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the third.

OTC tied the game in the top of the seventh inning thanks to a ground cut by Gavin Pausch, and a single by Kale Misegades.

Gavin Pausch took the loss for OTC. The righty went one and one-third innings, surrendering one run on one hit striking out one and walking two. Eric Fick started on the hill for OTC. The starting pitcher allowed six hits and three runs over five innings, striking out seven and walking three. 

Pausch, Lane Dilly and Misegades each drove in one run for OTC. Owen Harlg collected two hits for the Bulldogs in four at bats.