Rails cruise by Hornets

With weather playing a factor, the Cadott baseball program only saw one game of action over the week, hosting West Cloverbelt Conference opponent Altoona. During the May 25 match-up, the Rails came with their bats fully loaded, racking up 10 runs in the opening inning.

The Hornets answered in the top of the first, putting up one run on the board, but Altoona would add another run in the second inning, while holding Cadott scoreless.

“Altoona is a good team and they hit the ball hard,” said coach Spencer Kempf, “they were able to find the gaps and score with runners on base.”

The Rails put another run on the board in the third, but the Hornets rallied in their half of the inning, bringing in two runs. Altoona wouldn’t quit on offense, knocking in four more runs in the fourth. Neither team scored in the remainder of the game and the Rails held on to win, 16-3.

“We took much better at-bats in this game than we did the previous two games,” said Kempf. “We saw more pitches and worked the count.”

Senior Nelson Wahl began the game, giving up 8 hits and 2 walks, for 10 runs. Sophomore Tristan Drier, junior Ethan West and senior Tyler Matherne, each took turns on the mound, going just over an inning individually.

West allowed 4 hits and 4 runs, while striking out 2 and walking 2 batters, while Drier gave up 2 runs and a walk, and Matherne struck out 2, with 2 walks.

Leading for the offensive, seniors Dylan Davis and Ryan Swenson, Drier and junior Ryan Sonnentag all had 1 hit each, with Davis bringing in the only run batted in (RBI). Wahl, West and freshman Connor Roth each added a walk in the game.

“We still need to do a better job capitalizing when we have runners in scoring position,” said Kempf.

Cadott’s record now sits at 2-11 overall and 1-9 in conference play.