NLS scored eight runs in the first two innings on the way to a 10-4 victory over Minnewaska during the Lakers’ opening game of the Section 3AA Baseball Tourney at MAHS. The Lakers earned the top seed and the bye that goes with it.  Minnewaska and NLS were set to meet up, Thursday, but the game was pushed back a day due to rain.

The Wildcats scored four in the first and four more in the second and the Lakers were never really able to get back in the game from that point on.

Minnewaska moved into the consolation bracket where it faced Paynesville, Saturday, winning 7-4 to stay in contention

The Lakers were set to play again Monday (today) and, with a win, Minnewaska Area would have to win twice more Tuesday (tomorrow) to have a chance to play for the section title Thursday, June 6 at Marshall.

During the win over Paynesville, Jack Majerus had two hits, Riley Dell had a homerun and Noah Jensen belted a grand-slam homer, while Ryland Martin earned the victory with relief help from Riley Dell.  More about that game next week.

NLS 10, Waska 4

The Lakers fell into the consolation bracket of the Section 3AA Tourney after losing to NLS in the sub-section semifinals, Friday, 10-4. NLS scored eight runs over the first two innings and then held on for the six-run victory.

The Lakers were outhit 10-4 as NLS’ top three batters went a combined 6-for-12 with seven runs, a double and homerun.

Minnewaska had one hit each from Noah Jensen, Dylan Alexander, Nathan Dell and Austin Ballhagen, while Alex Panitzke, Weber and Ballhagen (two) scored runs. The Lakers scored two in the third and one more in the fourth to climb to within 9-3, but weren’t able to push another run across until the seventh

Panitzke took the loss, pitching the first two innings and giving up seven hits and seven earned runs.  Marc Gruber and Nathan Dell pitched in relief.

NLS also beat the Lakers earlier this season, 8-4, giving Minnewaska two of its three losses this season.

at Waska 5, Paynesville 3

NLS 4 4 0 1 0 1 0 — 10 10 2

Waska (16-3-1) 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 — 4 4 5

HITTING:  WASKA-Dylan Alexander 1-for-3, bb; Noah Jensen 1-for-3, RBI, bb; Nathan Dell 1-for-2, RBI, bb; Austin Ballhagen 1-for-3, 2 runs, double; Alex Panitzke 0-for-3, run, RBI, bb; Austin Weber run . . . NLS-C. Schneider 3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI, double; C. McCain 1-for-3, 2 runs, 3 RBI, HR

PITCHING:  (ip-h-r-er-bb-so):  WASKA-Alex Panitzke (L, 6-2) 2-7-8-7-2-0; Marc Gruber 4-3-2-0-2-4; Nathan Dell 1-0-0-0-0-0 . . NLS-K. Toutges (W)  7-3-4-2-4-8

Check out more photos in our photo gallery!