Head Coach Jason Baune is not shy about challenging his team, as evidenced by the stiff competition he has lined up for non conference play.  In Monday’s season opener, the tough schedule was on display as the Bulldogs dropped an extra innings game, 7-6, to the Elk River Elks.

“It was a match-up of two teams ranked in the top 10 of their respective classes and it lived up to the billing,” Baune said.

Becker jumped on top in the 1st inning when Krista Paulson led off with a walk and scored on a Cadence Koste double. The slim lead held until the top of the third when the Bulldogs added 3 more runs to make the score 4-0.  In their offensive outburst, Kurstyn Patnode singled and scored on an Emma Eickhoff double.  Koste then followed with a single before pinch runner Ellie Gallus [running for Eickhoff] and Koste would score on a Makenna Zerwas double.

An error, walk and single allowed the Elks to get two runs back in the bottom of the 4th, making it 4-2.  Some defensive miscues and a few big hits would allow the Elks to add 4 more runs in the bottom of the 5th to give them their first lead at 6-4.  

The game stayed there until the top of the 7th when Patnode and Eickhoff each singled to start the inning.  After the next two outs were recorded, Maddie Sherman came through with a clutch triple to score Patnode and pinch runner Ashlyn Croal to knot the score at 6.  After a scoreless top of the 8th, the Elks led off the bottom of the inning with a triple off the diving glove of Brooke Hendrickson.  The Bulldogs looked like they might escape the jam by recording two outs without allowing a run to score, but a 2-out single would bring in the winning run and make the final 7-6.

Becker was led offensively by Koste’s 3 hits, while Patnode and Eickhoff each had a pair.

Eickhoff got the start on the mound and went 4 innings, while Patnode took the loss in 3.2 innings of relief.  The pair combined to allow 9 hits and 5 walks while striking out 7.  

Becker’s Tuesday matchup with North Branch was postponed until a later date.

The Bulldogs were scheduled to make their home debut on Thursday against Monticello before traveling to Princeton and Big Lake next week.  On Friday, April 23, they will host Cambridge.