Bulldogs to host Chargers in regular season finale

Both teams were strong on the mound on Monday, but Parkers Prairie was just a little bit stronger at the plate in their 2-0 victory over Otter Tail Central. Lane Dilly started the game for OTC and recorded 18 outs.

Parkers Prairie opened the scoring in the bottom of the second thanks to two singles. The Panthers first got on the board when Cohen Noska singled, scoring one run.

Nolan Steidl earned the win for Parkers Prairie. The starting pitcher surrendered three hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out 13 and walking one. Lane Dilly took the loss for OTC. The right-handed pitcher went six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits, striking out two and walking none.

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

Tuesday

The OTC Bulldogs won a pair of games in a split doubleheader on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs defeated Menahga by a score of 6-0 and Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal by a score of 8-4. 

In the opening game of the night, Soren Floden collected three hits in three at bats, as OTC defeated Braves 6-0 on Tuesday at Tony Kawlewski Baseball Field. Floden doubled in the fifth inning, singled in the first inning, and doubled in the fourth inning. The Bulldogs were the first to get on the board in the first when Floden singled, scoring one run. 

Gavin Pausch earned the win for OTC as he gave up three hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out five and walking none. Tom Pietila took the loss for Braves. The righty went six innings, surrendering six runs (four earned) on eight hits, striking out two and walking three. 

Noah Link collected two hits for OTC in three at bats. Owen Harig, Pausch, and Ryan Despard each stole multiple bases for OTC. 

In the second game of the night, Noah Link struck out 10 batters as the starting pitcher led OTC past NCE-UH Titans 8-4. Link allowed six hits and four runs over six innings while walking four. 

A single by Will Jirik put NCE-UH Titans on the board in the top of the first. OTC captured the lead, 4-2, in the bottom of the third when Kale Misegades doubled, scoring  the speedy Owen Harig and Quick Footed Gavin Pausch. Misegades was able to use his own fancy footwork as he later stole home to score one run. 

Jace Braseth took the loss for NCE-UH Titans. The starting pitcher went five innings, surrendering seven runs (four earned) on seven hits, striking out three and walking two. 

Misegades tossed one inning of scoreless ball for OTC in relief. The reliever surrendered one hit, striking out three and walking none. 

Lane Dilly and Misegades were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits for OTC while hitting back-to-back. Link and Misegades each drove in two runs for OTC. Owen Harig, Soren Floden, and Misegades each stole multiple bases for OTC. 

Thursday

The OTC Bulldogs are fighting for back-to-back Park Region championships behind great pitching, stingy defense and strong baserunning.  

The Bulldogs were the top of the Park Region Conference in 2023 with a conference record of 11-3.  Now, in 2024 the Bulldogs are in the hunt to repeat, in their way stands Parkers Prairie.  The Bulldogs are sitting at 10-3 and Parkers Prairie 10-1 with WDC and Menahga this week and the biggest game on Monday of Parkers Prairie in Henning.  

OTC’s last conference game will be Monday against the Panthers. After conference play the Bulldogs have a section opponent on Tuesday, Barnesville, and Senior Night on Thursday against Brandon-Evansville.  

“Please come watch the Bulldogs compete next week,” said head coach Ryan Hendrickson. “We have been playing great baseball, we would love to see Tony Kawlewski Field full of fans and excitment! Monday against Parkers, Tuesday against Barnesville, and Thursday a very special day for our seniors. On Thursday our JV will start at 430 and our varsity will begin after that game.  We will have a special welcome for our seniors and a very touching and special moment that we would love to have our community attend to follow the varsity game! After our senior game, we welcome all community members on the field to celebrate our ‘Seniors Last Trip Around the Bases.’”

Both teams were strong on the mound on Thursday, but the Bulldogs defeated Pillager by a score of 3-0. 

Eric Fick started the game for OTC and recorded 21 outs. 

“Ficky was outstanding tonight. Whenever we got into a tight spot him and our defense got us out of it. With a guy on second base, Ficky got two strike outs,” said Hendrickson. “Another inning, Pillager got a leadoff double, Dilly made an outstanding 5-4 putout.  In another tight spot, the defense turned a 4-6-3 double play. Offensivly we were able to be super annoying on the bases and sneak a couple runs across. Today was a lot of fun!”

The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the fourth after Lane Dilly singled, scoring Gavin Pausch.

Fick earned the win for the Bulldogs as he surrendered two hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out seven and walking three. 

Kale Misegades and Dilly were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected one hit for the Bulldogs, while hitting back-to-back. Misegades and Dilly were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in one run for OTC. Gavin Pausch stole two bases.