Brett Knudsen and his young Becker baseball team gave fans a nail biter in their season opener Tuesday at home, as the team dropped a 3-1 contest in extra innings (9) to the St. Francis Saints.

“It felt great to be back on the field after an extended winter,” Knudsen said after the game.  “I know the boys were just as excited as I was.”

Becker gave up an early run in the top of the first, but from there, the Bulldogs blanked the Saints for the next seven innings.  

Sophomore Gerad Hanle started on the mound as was dominant, as the lefty struck out 10 batters and yielded just one hit in his five innings of work.

Isaac Guck relieved and was also good, working 3.1 innings and striking out another five Saints hitters.

“Pitching and defense were strong for us all game, as our pitchers tallied 15 strikeouts and we only had one error,” Knudsen said.

At the plate, Becker did manage eight hits, but also 13 strikeouts.

“We had opportunities to score, we just couldn’t string together enough hits,” Knudsen added.

A number of Bulldogs picked up their first varsity hits, including clean up hitter Hunter Pietrowski, who had a breakout game, going 3-for-4 in his varsity debut.  

“It was great to see him take control at the plate,” Knudsen said.

Riley Girard, Jack Fischer and Cayden Denne also had their first varsity hits in the game.

Becker traveled to North Branch on Thursday and went to Monticello for a Friday game.