Opening week for Bulldogs

The Lake Mills baseball and softball teams hit the ground running, in the opening week of play—just two days following State Track competition, as each had five scheduled games in the first week of play.

~ Boys ~
~ vs. West Hancock ~
“We had some good at bats both early and late in the game,” said Coach Jason Blaser of the Bulldogs 4-3 win over West Hancock. “The guys were aggressive swinging at strikes, but also patient taking some close pitches for walks.”
Charlie Dugger sealed the win for the Bulldogs with a three-RBI double in the fourth inning.
“With threatening weather coming in, that hit gave us the lead, and we were able to close out the top of the fifth inning on defense to secure the win,” said Blaser. He summed up the opener, “Coming off of the first three weeks with guys gone from many practices due to track, trapshooting and golf, this was a nice win to get.”

~ @ Belmond-Klemme ~
Youth was served in the second game of the season, as once again the Bulldogs prevailed over Belmond-Klemme, but not without a few harrowing moments, wrapping up a 10-9 victory.
“Tonight’s game demonstrated our potential, youth, resiliency, character and much more,” commented Blaser. “I liked how we had a four-run lead early, but we gave it right back, as we struggled throwing strikes and making the routine plays.”
He noted that the entire game was back and forth with the Bulldogs gaining the lead at the end.
“Every time we got a lead, we managed to let B-K tie it up. In the nine innings it took us to gain the win, we were exposed to many situations, many that we didn’t execute well. Hopefully we gained valuable experience to use in future games,” he concluded.

~ vs Central Springs ~
Depth and youth were tested, as the Bulldogs dropped a home decision to Central Springs, 12-1 Thursday.
“Tonight was the first of many games this season that the new pitching limitations put in place for this season impacted the game,” Blaser said. “Zach Throne would have gotten the ball any other season, but with a conference game the following night, in which he may be needed in relief, I had to hold him back.”
Nate Lorenson got the start on the mound, and “was understandably excited and struggled with control. If we take away the eight-run fourth inning, I thought he did well pitching to contact.” Blaser said that he will continue to be a key rotation member, as he matures and gets experience.

~ vs Bishop Garrigan ~
The Bulldogs wrapped up the week with a 9-1 win over Bishop Garrigan, in a game dominated on the mound by Slade Sifuentes, and offensively by Charlie Dugger.
“The baseball adage ‘You never know what you’ll see when you come to the ballpark’ couldn’t be more on point tonight,” exclaimed Blaser. Those in attendance witnessed a gem from Slade Sifuentes.
“Slade overmatched a good Golden Bears lineup all game long, ending with 18 strikeouts,” praised Blaser. “Luke Groe called a great game behind the plate.”
On offense,  “Charlie Dugger’s three-run home run broke open a close game, and the guys seemed more relaxed and just had fun. This game was a great ending to a successful first week,” Blaser concluded.
~ Girls ~
The girls game, which was moved up in anticipation of the weather, got underway, but not finished, as the rain came forcing a stoppage in play against West Hancock.

~ @ Belmond-Klemme ~
It was all Lake Mills, in what proved to be the season opener, as they downed Belmond-Klemme 12-0, behind a big second inning and strong pitching from Jade Gasteiger.
“It was a great game by Jade on offense and defense,” exclaimed Coach Matt Daniels, following the win. Gasteiger allowed one hit, while striking out five, and contintributed two hits and one run batted in, with the hit being a triple.
Daniel called the win, “A great start for us.”
~ vs Central Springs ~
The tables were turned a night later, as the Bulldogs were no-hit by the Panthers, and lost a four-inning decision 13-0.
“It was a tough night,” said Daniels. “The girls battled, but Central Springs is a good team.

~ vs Bishop Garrigan ~
Once again, the Bulldogs found themselves in a tough battle, as they were downed by Bishop Garrigan 15-4 to end the first week, at 1-2.
“A slow start on defense put us in the hole early,” noted Daniels.
He said that following the early damage, his team was able to right the ship.
“Hailey Borgmeyer came back strong with one-two-three third and fourth innings,” he said.
He summed up the night, by saying, his team, “left too many runners on base.”