The Le Mars baseball team opened their season on Tuesday with a road doubleheader split against Sergeant Bluff-Luton. The Bulldogs won game one by a score of 8-7 and lost the second game 8-1.
The first inning of the first game was as unique an inning as they come. The Bulldogs and Warriors combined to score seven runs on 13 walks, no hits, and just three balls put in play that inning. It was tough due to each coach wanting to ride with their starters for a little longer. Le Mars Head Coach Trent Eckstaine says it was just a weird start to the game all around.
The first game would get better later on for the Bulldogs. Le Mars was down 7-5 entering the top of the sixth inning. They loaded the bases and recorded two sacrifice flies and a base hit to drive in three runs and take the final lead of the game. Coach Eckstaine says it was nice to see the guys take advantage of that prime scoring opportunity.
On the other side of the ball, the Bulldogs closed out game one with some stellar relief pitching from Evan Pratt. He delivered 2.2 innings of shutout ball to end the game and pick up the win on the bump. Coach Eckstaine says Pratt came through in a big way on the mound.
Game two saw the Bulldog bats go quiet again with just four hits recorded and their only run coming late in the seventh inning. Le Mars now turns their focus to another tough doubleheader on Thursday as the East High Black Raiders come to town. Coach Eckstaine says this game was beneficial in showing some of the things his guys need to clean up on defense especially.
KLEM Radio will broadcast Le Mars’ home opener with East on Thursday with live coverage starting at 5:20.
