Bulldogs are 5-3 overall, 4-3 in PR Conference

The Otter Tail Central Bulldogs picked up a dominant 10-0 win over Browerville, before falling 5-2 in a tightly contested battle with Sebeka in the second game at Tony Kawlewski Baseball Field last Monday afternoon.

In the first game, the Bulldogs used a six run third inning to break open Game 1, cruising to a shutout victory behind a stellar pitching performance from senior Garrett Kuhn-Rice. The right-hander tossed a complete-game two-hitter, striking out seven and walking none over five scoreless innings.

Offensively, OTC’s third inning outburst included RBI hits from Ayden Olson, Olin Link and Devin Wiederich, as well as a sacrifice fly from Kale Misegades and a heads-up steal of home by Kaden Schmieg. Senior Owen Harig added a two-RBI fielder’s choice to cap the inning.

Harig led the Bulldogs with two RBIs, while Misegades tripled and drove in a run. Quenten Beske, Collin Lukken, Olson, Wiederich and Link all recorded hits. OTC also stole four bases and played error-free defense, with Link handling eight chances behind the plate.

“We came out ready to play today. Garrett was dealing, and our defense stayed locked in behind him,” said senior catcher Olin Link. “Everyone contributed—it was a complete team win.”

Despite out-hitting Sebeka 7-6, the Bulldogs couldn’t capitalize on their offensive chances in the nightcap. A three-run homer by Sebeka’s Gunnar Ament in the first inning proved to be the difference.

Misegades gave OTC a quality start on the mound, going six innings with six strikeouts and allowing just three earned runs. He also led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 2-2 with an RBI sac fly. Harig continued his strong day, finishing 2–3 with a walk and scoring both OTC runs.

Quenten Beske doubled, and both Devin Wiederich and Olin Link added singles. Despite strong at-bats, the Bulldogs left nine runners on base and couldn’t break through against Ament, who earned the win with five innings of shutout work (no earned runs).

“Give Sebeka credit — they made the big swing early and stayed solid on the mound,” said Head Coach Ryan Hendrickson. “We hit the ball well, but we’ve got to find ways to execute and push runs across.”

Assistant Coach Dakota Aeling added, “Our guys competed all day and left it on the field. In a game like this, it comes down to little moments — one extra hit, one fewer walk. We’re close, and we’ll keep learning from games like this.”

Tuesday

Senior pitcher Eric Fick turned in a dominant performance on the mound with 11 strikeouts and only one earned run allowed over five innings, but five defensive errors proved costly as the Ottertail Central Bulldogs dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker to the Pillager Huskies on Tuesday at Tony Kawlewski Baseball Field.

Fick allowed seven hits and four runs, only one earned, while walking three. The Huskies took advantage of a pair of OTC errors in the first and second innings to jump out to a 4-0 lead, highlighted by an RBI double from Kaden Imdieke and a two-run single by Lucas Hoglin.

The Bulldogs chipped away and mounted a sixth inning rally. Ryan Despard singled and Collin Lukken and Kaden Schmieg followed with back-to-back hits. Schmieg delivered the clutch moment of the game with a two-RBI single to cut the lead to 4–3. OTC would leave the tying run aboard in both the sixth and seventh innings.

Schmieg led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 1-for-1 with two RBIs. OTC collected nine hits in total, one each from Owen Harig, Ayden Olson, Quenten Beske, Olin Link, Garrett Kuhn-Rice, Fick, Despard and Lukken. Kuhn-Rice added the team’s lone extra-base hit with a double.

After Fick exited, Harig entered in relief and was sharp over two scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out one to keep OTC within striking distance.

While the offense showed promise, strikeouts stalled potential rallies—OTC batters struck out 10 times. Still, the Bulldogs played aggressive baseball, turning a key double play defensively and showing depth in the bottom of the lineup.

“Eric gave us a great start and kept us in it the whole way,” said head coach Ryan Hendrickson. “We showed heart fighting back, but we’ve got to clean things up defensively and be sharper situationally.”

Assistant Coach Dakota Aeling added, “You hate to let early innings get away from you, especially when your guys battle like that. Our effort was there—we’ll learn from it and move forward.”

Thursday

Behind a dominant five-inning shutout from senior Garrett Kuhn-Rice and an explosive offensive performance,OTC rolled to a 13–0 victory over the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines on Thursday at Tony Kawlewski Baseball Field.

Kuhn-Rice allowed just two hits while striking out five and walking two in a complete-game win. He needed just 74 pitches to retire all 15 outs, keeping Wolverine hitters off balance and never allowing a runner past second base.

The Bulldogs (5–3) jumped ahead early with three runs in the first inning. After a walk to Quenten Beske brought home the first run, Olin Link followed with a two-RBI single to give OTC an early lead. The Bulldogs poured on six more in the third, with contributions from Conner Thompson, Eric Fick, Ryan Despard and Kale Misegades, who delivered a two-RBI single. OTC capped the scoring with four runs in the fourth.

Misegades continued his hot streak at the plate, going 3-4 with an RBI and three total bases. Link and Fick each drove in three runs, while Beske, Thompson, Olson, and Kuhn-Rice added hits. Fick added a double and OTC finished with five extra-base hits on the day.

Owen Harig and Kuhn-Rice each drew two walks, and Harig reached base three times. The Bulldogs played sharp defensively, turning two double plays and committing just one error.

Wadena-Deer Creek’s only hits came from Carson Davis and Leo Petrowski. Starter Hunter Sweere took the loss, allowing six runs in two innings.

“This was one of our most complete games so far,” said Head Coach Ryan Hendrickson. “Garrett gave us exactly what we needed on the mound, and the guys stayed disciplined and dangerous at the plate.”