Hadley took on two of the top teams of the First Nite League and came away going .500 for the week. Here is the week’s recap:
Wednesday vs Jackson
Hadley took their only longest road trip of the year as they traveled down I-90 to take on the veteran-laden Jackson Bulls from the First Nite League. Whenever these two teams match-up, one never knows how the games will go. Wednesday night’s game was no exception as both team’s pitchers kept the hits to a minimum. Unfortunately for Hadley, Jackson edged Hadley out on the scoreboard with a 2-1 victory.
The Buttermaker bench was empty on Wednesday as only 10 players showed up for the game. Jacob Van Dam would make his first start on the mound for Hadley against the Bulls.
Hadley would score first in their first at bat. Following a lead-off out, Joe Larson would hit a soft infield swinging bunt. Joe would reach when the Bull’s catchers throw to 1st was high. Nick Bruning would then double scoring Joe as he beat the throw home. Max Zwart would reach on a walk and move to 2nd later in the inning to put both runners in scoring position. The Jackson starter was able to get the next two Buttermaker batters out on called 3rd strikes.
Jackson would tie the game in the 2nd inning. After a leadoff single and a stolen base, Jackson would score on an infield ground out when Max Zwart’s throw to 3rd base to get the runner out advancing went high over Nick Bruning at 3rd allowing the runner to race home.
The game would move on to the 8th all tied. In Hadley’s at bat in the 8th, Trent Carlson would lead off with a single. Luke Drooger would come into courtesy run but would get tagged out in a rundown on a failed bunt attempt. Derek Platt would single but Hadley was unable to move him around. In the bottom of the inning, Jackson would put 2 runners on bases off Jacob Van Dam’s first walks of the game. With 2 outs, Jackson would get a hit to right field that Avery Weber was unable to get to as one runner scored. Jacob would get the 3rd out on a strikeout to leave 2 Bulls in scoring position.
Hadley would come to bat in the 9th with a chance. After Nick Bruning grounded out, Max Zwart would work out a walk followed by a single by Alex Petersen. Both runners would move into scoring position on an infield ground out by Avery Weber. Jacob Van Dam came to the plate with a chance to help his cause, but Jacob would bounce back to the pitcher for the 3rd out and the 2-1 Jackson victory.
Nick Bruning would pick up Hadley’s other hit of the game.
Hadley 1 5 2
Jackson 2 5 2
Sunday vs. Windom
The Windom Pirates visited Buttermaker Park to take on the Buttermakers. Buttermaker fans still had a sour taste in their mouths from last years season ending heartbreaking 1-0 loss to the Pirates for the Region 13C’s last spot into the State tournament. Would Hadley get a measure of payback? Due to Windom scheduled for another game in the day, Sunday’s game would be a 7-inning affair.
Short on pitching, Avery Weber started on the mound for Hadley. Hadley would score first in the game. In the bottom of the 1st inning, Nick Bruning would reach 1st base on a 2-out walk. Max Zwart would follow with a double to score Bruning for an 1-0 lead.
Windom would threaten in the 2nd inning. Windom would load the bases off Avery with 2 outs. Avery would get the 3rd out on a strikeout to keep Windom off the board. Hadley would load the bases in the bottom of the 2nd, but Joe Larson would just get nipped out at 1st base on a ground out to keep the game at 1-0.
Windom would tie the game in the 3rd inning. Windom would get a lead-off double and the runner would come around to score later on a sacrifice fly. Hadley would come storming back in the bottom of the inning. Nick Bruning would lead off by walking. Nick would move to 2nd on a stolen base and advance to 3rd after the catcher’s throw sailed into centerfield. Nick would score later on a sacrifice fly. Hadley would collect 3 more hits in the inning to take a 4-1 lead.
The game would move to the 6th at 4-1. Windom would start off with a double. The runner would try to move to 3rd after the relay throw got by the Buttermaker infield. Trent Carlson would retrieve the ball and his throw Nick Bruning at 3rd base would be on time for the tag out. Windom would put two more runners on base in the inning, but Avery Weber would leave them stranded. Hadley would add 2 insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th to go up 6-1.
Max Zwart would relieve Weber in the 7th to preserve the 6-1 victory.
Justin Benda and Max Zwart led Hadley with 2 hits each. Derek Platt, Joe Larson, Eric Wieneke, Danny Blankenship, and Trent Carlson all added 1 hit each. Max Zwart and Eric Wieneke led Hadley with 2 rbis, with Trent Carlson and Justin Benda getting the other Buttermaker rbis. Avery Weber picked up his 3rd win of the season
Hadley 6 9 2
Windom 1 5 2
Hadley will travel to Ruthton on Wednesday to take on the Royals in a make-up game and be on the road over the weekend to play in the Pepsi Invitational in Pipestone. Hadley’s 1st game is set for 11:00 Saturday morning against Benson Plowboys and then take on Bloomington Bandits at 8:00 in the evening.
