The Otter Tail Central Bulldogs nearly erased a six-run deficit Thursday night, but their comeback effort came up just short in an 8–7 loss to the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines at Tony Kawlewski Baseball Field in Henning.

The loss was another tough one for the Bulldogs, who battled back throughout the night and had the tying run on base in the final inning.

Senior captain Kale Misegades turned in one of the top offensive performances of the season, blasting two home runs and driving in two runs. Misegades homered in both the fourth and seventh innings, keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance all night.

Misegades also delivered on the mound, throwing a complete game while striking out seven batters over seven innings. He allowed eight runs, but only three were earned.

Wadena-Deer Creek jumped out early, scoring two runs in the first inning after a Bulldog error and adding two more in the second on a double from Ben Krekalu to build a 4–0 lead.

The Wolverines extended the lead to 6–0 before the Bulldogs answered with a huge fourth inning.

Otter Tail Central erupted for six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to completely swing momentum.

Misegades started the rally with a solo home run to left field before Beck Thorson delivered the biggest hit of the inning — a three-run double that energized the Bulldog dugout and crowd, scoring Schmieg, Leroy, and Beske. Later in the inning, Ryan Despard added a two-run single to tie the game, scoring Saurer and Thorson.

The Bulldogs suddenly found themselves right back in the contest after being down by six runs earlier in the night.

Wadena-Deer Creek regained the lead in the sixth inning when Krekalu delivered an RBI single to make it 7–6.

In the bottom of the seventh, Misegades once again came through in a clutch moment, launching a solo home run to left field to tie the game at 7–7.

However, the Wolverines answered in the top half of the inning and held on late to escape with the win.

Otter Tail Central totaled eight hits on the night: Kale Misegades – 2-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R; Ryan Despard – 2 hits, 2 RBI; Carter Knutson – 2 hits, R and Beck Thorson – 3 RBI double, SB.

Otter Tail Central Head Coach Ryan Hendrickson praised his team’s fight despite the loss.

“I’m proud of the way our guys battled back tonight,” Hendrickson said. “Being down six runs and responding the way we did says a lot about this group’s toughness and competitiveness.”

Hendrickson also pointed to the small details that continue to decide close games.

“We’re still hurting ourselves at times defensively, and against good teams those extra opportunities matter. But offensively we competed all night and gave ourselves a chance,” he said. 

“We never felt out of that game. Even being down early, the dugout energy stayed positive and we kept fighting back. Obviously it hurts to come up short, but I’m proud of the way our guys competed all seven innings. We’re close—now it’s about finishing games and cleaning up the little things,” said Kale Misegades.

Friday

The Otter Tail Central Bulldogs put together one of their strongest all-around performances of the season Friday night, sweeping a home doubleheader against Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale and Frazee at Tony Kawlewski Baseball Field.

The Bulldogs opened the night with a commanding 10–3 victory over Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale before closing out the evening with a hard-fought 4–2 win over Frazee.

With the sweep, Otter Tail Central continues to build momentum heading into the middle stretch of the season.

Senior Quenten Beske delivered a dominant performance on the mound in the opener, striking out 12 hitters while leading the Bulldogs to a 10–3 victory over Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale.

Beske worked 6⅓ innings, allowing just three hits and three runs while consistently overpowering Raider hitters throughout the night.

Otter Tail Central jumped on the board early in the first inning when Kale Misegades delivered an RBI single. The Bulldogs expanded the lead in the third inning behind a two-run single from Beske and an RBI double from Carter Knutson.

The Bulldogs pounded out 14 hits in the opener and were aggressive on the basepaths, stealing eight bases.

Offensive leaders included: Quenten Beske – 3 hits, 2 RBI; Ayden Olson – 3 hits; Carter Knutson – 2 RBI; Beck Thorson – 2 RBI; Kale Misegades – Multiple hits, multiple stolen bases and Ryan Despard – Multiple stolen bases.

Defensively, the Bulldogs played one of their cleanest games of the season, committing zero errors. Brady Saurer led the defensive effort with 13 chances behind the plate.

In the nightcap, Otter Tail Central battled past Frazee 4–2 behind another strong pitching effort and timely offense.

Frazee took an early 1–0 lead in the fourth inning, but the Bulldogs answered immediately when Max Grove drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game.

Otter Tail Central broke through in the fifth inning when Misegades delivered an RBI single before a sacrifice bunt from Beske extended the lead.

Casen Leroy picked up the win for the Bulldogs, pitching six strong innings while allowing just three hits and two runs. Leroy struck out five and battled through five walks to keep the Hornets in check.

Kaden Schmieg came on in relief to earn the save and secure the sweep.

Offensive leaders included: Kale Misegades – RBI single; Quenten Beske – RBI sacrifice bunt; Grady Shebeck – RBI and Max Grove – RBI walk.

The Bulldogs once again played flawless defense, committing zero errors for the second straight game.

Otter Tail Central Head Coach Ryan Hendrickson praised his team’s complete effort throughout the night.

“That was a really good step forward for our group,” Hendrickson said. “We got quality pitching, played clean defense, and had contributions up and down the lineup. That’s the kind of baseball we know we’re capable of playing.”

Coach Aeling also highlighted the team’s energy and focus during the long evening.

“Doubleheaders can test your focus and toughness, and I thought our guys handled that really well tonight. We competed from the first inning of game one until the last out of game two,” he said.