“Small ball got us going Tuesday.”  That was the sentiment from first-year Head Coach Tyler Niedfeldt in regards to his Becker Bulldog baseball team in their big win over Zimmerman, 5-1.

 

Senior pitcher Kendal Hanson was masterful on the mound, going six innings, giving up two hits, one walk while striking out eight.

 

The game stayed scoreless until a bunt by leadoff batter, Andrew Berglund  allowed him to reach first base. The throw was errant and that allowed Berglund to move to second in scoring position.  

 

Another great bunt, this time by Kreeden Blomquist, allowed Berglund to scramble to third and Blomquist to reach first. Blomquist proceeded to steal second base to put both runners in scoring position and Logan Boyer laid down a suicide squeeze, scoring Berglund with the game’s first run. Boyer was quick enough to make it to first and the Bulldogs were in business with no outs.

 

“This was definitely the turning point in the game,” said Niedfeldt.  

 

Becker tacked on three more in the inning and with Hanson’s effective pitching, that was about all the home team would need to capture the win.  

 

Hanson threw 77 pitches in the six innings and Weston Schug came in for the save, giving up one run late to seal the game.

 

Catcher Matt Krenz continued to stay hot at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a walk.  He also caught a great game for Hanson.  

 

The Bulldogs were aggressive at the plate, putting the ball in play on 27 of 28 at bats.  

 

“If we continue to put the ball in play, we will put the pressure on the defense and will force them to make plays,” said the head coach.  “I have been very pleased with our ability to keep the ball on the ground and avoid the fly balls.”

 

Niedfeldt said he’d like to see his fielders eliminate the errors and take the pressure off the pitchers. The Bulldogs committed two errors in the sixth inning that drove Hanson from the game.

 

“We ask our pitchers to throw strikes low in the zone and let the other team hit the ball on the ground,” said Niedfeldt. “When that happens, our infielders need to be able to get guys out at first.  Up to this point we have had too many mistakes that have lead to runs and the good teams will make you pay for it.”

 

Despite the objections, Niedfeldt understands it is early in the year and he expect his team to make it up and play solid baseball moving forward.

 

Blomquist was 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. The Bulldogs finished with five runs on six hits, three stolen bases, three walks and just one strikeout.

 

The game turned ugly for the Bulldogs late as Hutchinson poured in six runs in the sixth inning to win by 11. 

 

“Our defense played solid but sometimes the other team just hits the ball where you're not and that seemed to happen a whole lot yesterday,” said Coach Niedfeldt.

 

Evan Epperly got his first start of the year in the lineup and made it pay off, going 2-3 with a pair of singles. Weston Schug had another great day scoring both Becker runs. 

 

Matt Moe had a solid start on the mound, going five innings, giving up four earned runs while striking out four and walking three. 

 

The Bulldogs will be hitting the road for three games next week. They play at Milaca Tuesday, at Mora Thursday and at Princeton Friday.