By Mark Zinnel- Buttermaker Reporter The two words baseball fans have been waiting for during the long winter was – PLAY BALL! For Hadley Buttermaker fans - PLAY BALL came to fruition on Sunday as the Buttermakers traveled to Worthington to take on the Cubs in the Gopher League season opener.
A few new faces were in the dugout for Hadley’s opener. Avery Weber started on the mound for Hadley. Both teams starting pitchers had things going their ways as they kept each team’s bats at bay through the first 6 innings. Avery Weber held the Cubs to just 1 hit while the Cub starter allowed Hadley to 3 hits.
Hadley looked like they would break through in the 6th inning when they loaded the bases with 2 outs, but a fly ball to left field by Brent Hokeness would be caught to keep Hadley off the board.
Hadley would finally get a run in the 7th inning. Alex Petersen would reach base after getting hit by a pitch. Alex would seal 2nd base and come around to score on a single by Kyler Deacon. Hadley’s lead would be short-lived when Worthington would tie the game on a solo homerun in the bottom of the inning off Weber.
Trent Carlson would relieve Weber in the 8th. Both teams would pick-up a double in the 8th inning, but each would fail to capitalize. Both teams would put a runner on base in the 9th, but the game would move to the 10th.
Austin Arlbeck would reach base after getting hit by a pitch, but Hadley would fail to move him around. In the bottom of the 10th, Worthington would put two runners on from a walk and hit batter, with 1 out. Max Zwart would be brought in to shut-down the Cubs. Max would get a fly ball out for the 2nd out. The next batter would hit a high chopper to Joe Larson at short. Joe’s throw to 1st would be high and over Eric Wieneke allowing the Cub runner to race home for a 2-1 Cub victory.
Trent Carlson would be charged with the loss. Kyler Deacon led Hadley with 2 hits. Max Zwart, Joe Larson, Eric Wieneke and Alex Petersen each recorded a hit.
Final Box Score RHE Hadley 1 6 1 Worthington 2 3 0 Hadley will travel to Ruthton on Mother’s Day to take on the Royals in a 2:00 pm start.
