The Otter Tail Central Bulldogs’ 2025 baseball season came to a dramatic end on Tuesday evening, falling 7–6 to the Barnesville Trojans in the opening round of the Section 6A playoffs at Tony Kawlewski Field.

The third seeded Bulldogs held a 6–4 lead heading into the top of the seventh inning, but couldn’t close the door, as Barnesville rallied for three runs, capped by Alex Dorton’s go-ahead RBI single. It was a tough finish for a Bulldog team that fought with resilience all season long.

The Bulldogs jumped ahead 3–2 in the first inning, highlighted by a 2-RBI double from senior Eric Fick. After Barnesville retook the lead in the third, Ayden Olson tied the game with a double, and OTC rallied again in the sixth with an RBI single from Kale Misegades and an error that plated another.

But the top of the seventh proved decisive, as the Trojans pushed across three late runs to escape with the win.

“I’m proud of this team. We didn’t always win easy, but we battled every single game. These seniors left their mark—not just through their stats, but through their leadership, selflessness, and how they carried themselves,” said head coach Ryan Hendrickson. “They’ve built something lasting here. It’s tough to see it end, but I know we’ll be better because of what they gave us.”

The Bulldogs were led offensively by Eric Fick who went 1-4 with 3 RBIs and went 2 1/3 innings on the mound and surrendered four hits, four runs of which two were earned and struck out two batters. 

Grady Shebeck went 2-4 from the plate, while Kale Misegades went 1-3 with an RBI and went 4 2/3 innings in relief and gave up one earned run. 

Ayden Olson went 1-3 with an RBI, while Owen Harig and Quenton Beske each added a hit and stolen base in the loss. 

The Bulldogs finished the 2025 campaign with a 12–8 record, marked by:

• Multiple come-from-behind wins

• A state-record-tying 5-hit performance from Kale Misegades

• A complete-game shutout by Eric Fick on Senior Night

• A no-hitter by Garrett Kuhn-Rice against Menahga

• Strong contributions from underclassmen stepping into varsity roles