Conference hot hitters lead to downfall of Knights

The Cornell-Lake Holcombe Knights Baseball team is still discovering their stride, after facing a couple tough opponents over the week.

May 4 vs. Birchwood-Winter conference (L 12-4)

The Knights hosted Birchwood-Winter, May 4, for a conference battle against the Warcats, who came to play with high-powered offense.

The first inning started in a no-score contest, but the Warcats struck in the second, scoring three runs. The third remained scoreless, but the Knights added two in their half of the fourth inning, along with two more in the fifth. The Warcats added one more in the sixth and the game was tied 4-4 going into the seventh inning.

A Warcat singled on a 3-0 count, bringing in a run. That lead would get extended by seven more runs, handing the Warcats the game, 12-4.

“We have been in every game this season,” said coach

(To the left) Junior Dylan Bowen keeps his Prairie Farm opponent on third base honest April 27, as the Cornell-Lake Holcombe Knights hosted the visitors in Cornell. The season’s first game got off to a rainy and rocky start, as the Knights saw their offense grow cold and Brandon Baldry. “We are figuring out how to close out games. We will get there. Get better every day, is our goal.”

Junior Dylan Bowen was on the pitcher’s mound for the Knights, with the lefty going five and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on three hits, and striking out 11. Sophomore Cead Ewer and senior Brock Flater entered the game as relief, throwing one inning and one-third of an inning, respectively.

Senior Kaden Crank went 3-for-4 at the plate, to lead the Knights in hits. Senior Tate Sauerwein led the team with three stolen bases out of the nine by the Knights in the game.

Baldry says frustration may set in, but if the Knights are held accountable for what happens on the field, the season can be turned around.

“Take pride in what we do,” said Baldry.

May 6 vs. Clear Lake conference (L 28-2)

Looking to bounce back from their loss a couple days before, the Knights took off for Clear Lake. Unfortunately, the Knights fell behind early in the first inning, giving up seven runs.

Clear Lake would tack on 10 more in the second, while holding the Knights scoreless. The Knights got on the board in the third, but Clear Lake answered back, with two runs in the top of the third and nine more in the fourth inning.

The Knights put up one more run in the fifth, but the score stood at 28-2 and that’s how it would stay, as Clear Lake took the win.

Crank started on the hill for the Knights, throwing hard and getting strikes, lasting two innings, where he only walked two batters.

“The Knights’ defense couldn’t keep up with Clear Lake’s bats,” said Baldry.

On the defensive side, the Knights had 12 errors. Freshman Trent Nitek and sophomore Max Sauerwein were the only Knights to record a hit. Freshman Nate Fasbender drew a walk in the third inning, then proceeded to advance around the bases until he put the Knights on the board for their first run.

Flater and Nitek took the mound in relief, giving up a combined 11 runs in two innings.

The losses drop Cornell-Lake Holcombe to 1-6 and 0-3 in the conference.

“We took a step back this game,” said Baldry. “We learned how valuable it is to play as a team and have teammates held accountable.”