It was a great season opener for Coach Brett Knudsen and the Bulldog baseball team last Friday, as the team clobbered Hutchinson, 9-3, for the non-conference win.

The Bulldogs took a 2-0 in the bottom of the first when Josh Groskreutz singled and scored on a triple by Isaac Daluge.  Reid McCalla then doubled in Daluge for the two run lead.

Hutchinson came back with a pair of runs in the top of the second, and scored a single tally in the top of the fifth for a 3-2 lead before Becker piled on seven runs in an explosive fifth inning to take the lead.

The Bulldogs put together eight singles and a double (a bases clearing shot by Kellan Graning) in the inning, as the team batted around the order.  

Graning started on the mound and went three innings before Freshman Gerad Hanle relieved for two innings and took the win.  Groskreutz worked the final two innings to seal the win.

Offensively, the Bulldogs were in mid-season form, pounding out 13 hits, with two apiece from Groskreutz, Daluge, Graning, McCalla and Sawyer Anderson.

After the game, Knudsen presented game balls to Hanle (first varsity strikeout from the mound, first hit and first pitching victory), and Daluge (first varsity hit).

The team presented Knudsen with a game ball of his own to memorialize his first win as varsity coach.

M8 Opener

Tuesday night, the Bulldogs went on the road for the Mississippi 8 opener and came away with a 3-2 win over St. Francis.

Josh Groskreutz got the start on the mound and went five innings, giving up just one unearned run before Reid McCalla came in to close out the game and pitch the final six outs.

Offensively, the Bulldogs struggled early, getting their first hit in the fifth inning.

St. Francis led 1-0 going into the sixth inning before Becker got on the board as the scoring play started with a single by Isaac Daluge, who then went to second on a passed ball.

Kellan Graning came to bat next and went ahead 3-1 in the count before he launched a mammoth home run over the left field fence for a Becker 2-1 lead.

Ethan Guck then drove in the final run with a sacrifice fly, as pinch runner Jase Tobako scored. 

“It’s always good to set the tone and get off to a good start in the conference,” said Coach Brett Knudsen.  “Groskreutz and McCalla led the charge with great control on the mound and a big home win from Graning put us in control.”

The Becker pitchers combined to give up four hits and scattered just two walks, as Groskreutz picked up the win and McCalla had the six out save.

Daluge had a pair of hits for the Bulldogs.

The team hosted North Branch on Thursday and then on Friday the team hosted Monticello in the annual Strike Out Cancer game.