Hornets keeping up the good fight in every contest

By Ginna Young

Cadott’s baseball program faced off with four strong opponents over the week, as the season races on toward completion.

May 9 vs. Regis conference (L 4-2)

To kick off the week, the Hornets hosted Regis in a conference battle. Regis got on the board first, with a run in the opening inning, then added three more runs in the second inning. Cadott was shut out for five innings, but by the sixth, they mounted a comeback and had two runs cross the plate.

However, that would be it for either team and the Ramblers took home the win, 4-2.

“We got some great pitching and defense tonight, to keep a very good team down,” said coach Brandon Geist. “Offensively, we came alive a little late and just couldn’t get the big hit.”

Junior Ashton Bremness was on the mound for the Hornets, going five innings, giving up 5 hits, 4 runs and 3 walks, while striking out 4. Junior Axel Tegels then took over, pitching two innings and allowing a hit and a walk.

Leading on offense for Cadott, was senior Tristan Drier, with 2 hits, followed by Tegels, Bremness, and juniors Brandon Sikora and Connor Roth, who each had a hit.

“The fight was there and we are starting to go in the right direction,” said Geist.

May 11 vs. 11 Stanley-Boyd conference (L 5-4)

Two days later, Cadott played host to rival Stanley-Boyd, in what would turn out to be a very close contest. The Orioles struck first, with two runs in the first inning.

Neither team scored in the second, but each would come up with three runs in the third inning, while Cadott added another run in the fourth. There, the offense dried up for both teams and the Orioles claimed a slim 5-4 victory.

“We fell behind early and had a strong comeback that just fell short,” said Geist. “Few mistakes were the difference in this one and give credit to the team, they stayed in the game and kept fighting until the end.”

Roth was at the helm at home, pitching three innings, while allowing 5 hits, 5 runs and 2 walks, and striking out 4 batters. Sophomore Warren Bowe then was on the mound for four innings, giving up just 2 hits and walk, while striking out 10 opponents.

Tegels had the hot bat of the night, with 3 hits, while Bremness notched 2 hits, and Drier, Roth and Bowe all chipped in with a hit.

“Good team effort tonight,” said Geist.

May 12 vs. Boyceville non-conference (L 11-4)

The next day, it was off to Boyceville, for an out-of-conference match with the Bulldogs. The Hornets struck first, with an opening-inning run, but Boyceville answered back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning.

They went on to add two more in the second inning and three in the third, before Cadott came up with a run in the fourth and two in the fifth. The Bulldogs weren’t done, though, and added four more in the sixth inning to take an 11-4 win.

“I really liked how they came to play tonight,” said Geist of his team. “They looked excited to play, and just went out and played. We fell behind early, but kept playing and never gave up.”

Going five innings for the Hornets, was freshman Aiden Rykal, who pitched 8 hits, 7 runs and 4 walks, while striking out 5. Freshman Michael Wellner was also on the mound, going an inning and allowing 2 hits, 4 runs and a walk.

Drier, Tegels, Roth, Bremness, Bowe, Rykal, junior Nolan Nordrum and freshman Carter Matherne all had a hit for the Hornets.

“Our younger players stepped up when given the opportunity to play and did a very nice job,” said Geist.

May 15 vs. Thorp conference (W 15-5)

Finally, the Hornets saw Thorp come to town, in a backand- forth contest. The Cardinals got on the board with two runs in the opening inning and added three more in the second inning. Cadott remained scoreless until the third inning, when they knocked in six runs to take a one-point lead.

Neither team scored in the fourth or fifth innings, but by the bottom of the sixth, the Hornets batted in nine runs. Winning the game, was Drier, with a walk-off three-run home run – the first of his high school career – to claim a dominant 15-5 victory.

“After falling behind early, the team battled back, and was able get into the groove and find a way to win the game,” said Geist.

Bowe went almost the whole game on the mound, allowing 6 hits, 5 runs and 2 walks, while striking out 12 batters. Tegels then took over, striking out 1.

Tegels also led on offense, with 3 hits, while Drier, Roth, Wellner, Rykal and junior Henry Danielson all came up with 2 hits. Bowe and Sikora each added a hit for Cadott.

“Both teams played very well, and it was great to see the team keep fighting and come out on top,” said Geist.