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Hadley had no problem with the Mountain Lake Lakers in the First Nite-Gopher League crossover play-in series as they defeated the Lakers in 2 games. Here is the series recap:
Wednesday at Worthington
HADLEY 8
MOUNTAIN LAKE 2
Due to a conflict in St; James for Mt. Lake, Game 1 of the series moved to Worthington against the young Laker team. Hadley was aware how feisty the young Lakers could be and wanted to put to rest any hopes they had for an upset and the Buttermakers accomplished that goal in Game 1. Veteran, Sam Erickson started on the mound for Hadley.
Hadley would score right away in the 1st. After a lead off out, Joe Larson would single. Max Zwart would ground out. Eric Wieneke would get hit by a pitch bringing Danny Blankenship to bat. Danny would deliver with a hit scoring Larson for a quick 1-0 lead.
The game would stay this way until the 4th. Hadley would push across 3 more runs to go up 4-0 thanks to a string of 3 singles and a walk. Hadley would score on a passed ball and singles from Danny Blankenship and Trent Carlson. Hadley would add a solo run in the 5th on another single by Joe Larson after Derek Platt had reached base and stole 2nd to score.
Hadley would score two unearned runs in the 5th. With 2 outs, Trent Carlson would reach on a Laker throwing error. Abe Paulzine would hit a shot to leftfield that hit the bottom of the fence to put both runners in scoring position. Kyler Deacon would then lace a hit to left to score both runners and a 7-0 lead.
Sam Erickson had no problem with the young Laker team as he held then hitless through four innings. Mt. Lake finally was able to get their first hits off Erickson in the 5th as Sam allowed the Lakers 2 hits and score once for a 7-1 Hadley advantage.
Hadley would score their last run in the 8th. Carter Benda would reach after getting hit by a pitch. Benda would steal 2nd and then move to 3rd on an infield ground out. Carter would then score on a ground out by Abe Paulzine. Mt. Lake would get their only other hit of the game off Erickson in the 8th to score 1 run after a lead-off walk.
Trent Carlson would take over on the found for Erickson in the 9th and put the Lakers down for the Hadley 8-2 victory.
For Hadley, Joe Larson, Danny Blankenship, Max Zwart, and Kyler Deacon led the way with 2 hits each. Derek Platt, Abe Paulzine and Trent Carlson picked up Hadley’s other hits. Sam Erickson would record 7 strikeouts and 2 walks in the game.
Saturday Game 2
HADLEY 26
MOUNTAIN LAKE 1
7 INNINGS
Playing the Buttermakers in Hadley in the playoffs is never an easy thing for teams visiting. Showing up with just nine players on a hot, humid afternoon is also not a wise move as Mountain Lake found out on Saturday as the Buttermakers ran away with the game, sailing by the young Lakers in 7-innings, 26-1.
Scoring for Hadley was not a problem for the veteran Buttermakers, even missing two regular starters: against the young Laker squad. Jacob Van Dam started the game on the mound for Hadley and held the Lakers to just 4 hits in his 5 innings of work, striking out 8 Lakers while walking only 1.
When Hadley scored it was often and with ease. Hadley had a chance to score in the 1st. After a single by Kyler Deacon, Max Zwart would hit a ground ball headed to rightfield. The ball would hit Kyler for runner interference. Max would move to 3rd base on two passed balls, but he would be left stranded there.
The run flood gates would open for Hadley the next 2 innings. Hadley would score 10 runs on 9 hits in the 2nd inning, bringing 14 men to the plate. It seemed that wherever the Buttermakers hit the ball it found a hole. Mountain Lake would make a pitching change in the 3rd inning, but that did not stop Hadley’s hot hitting. Hadley would bat 19 men while scoring 13 runs on 11 hits to go up 23-0.
Hadley would empty their bench in the 4th. Hadley would add 1 run in the 5th and 2 more in the 6th. Avery Weber would come into relieve Van Dam in the 6th. A Hadley fielding error, a single and a wild pitch would bring in the Laker’s only score. Avery would put the Lakers down in order in the 7th for a 26-1 Hadley win.
Hadley would total 28 hits in the game. Trent Carlson, Abe Paulzine, and Kyler Deacon all had a good day at the plate as they all recorded 4 hits. Max Zwart and Justin Benda would check-in with 3 hits, Carter Benda, and Derek Platt with 2 hits, with Eric Wieneke and Lincoln Graven adding 1 hit each.
Trent Carlson’s 4 hits plated 6 rbis for the day. Abe Paulzine would be credited with 4 rbis. Derek Platt, Kyler Deacon and Max Zwart would pick up 3 rbis. Eric Wieneke and Carter Benda collected 2 rbis, and Danny Blankenship had Hadley’s other rbi. Justin Van Dan earned the victory.
Hadley will now head into the Region 13C quarterfinal round. Region 13C is scheduled to be done Monday evening. It is anticipated that Hadley’s next opponent will be the Jackson Bulls. Wednesday night’s game will be on the road. Hadley will return home for a Saturday game at 2:00 pm and if needed, Sunday’s game should be at home at 2:00 pm.
