BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com)-Hi-Liner Baseball was able to kick of their season Friday by playing 2 games out in Bismarck. Battling windy and cold conditions the Hi-liners were able to come home with a split of the 2 games, winning the first game 3-1 and dropping the second game 11-0 in 5innings.

Game 1

Valley City got out to early 1-0 lead after the top of 1st inning. A double by Easton Hesch followed by 3 consecutive Bismarck errors on the next 3 batters would help the Hi-liners push across their first run.  The score would stay 1-0 until The Hi-Liners would add another run in the top of the 5th inning. BHS would pick up a run in the bottom of 6th while Valley City would get that run back in the 7th and shut down The Demons in their half of the 7th to end the game with a 3-1 win.

 

Mitchel Taylor started the game and picked up the win. Taylor would go 5 innings giving up 0 run on 3 hits while walking 0 and striking out 6. Hesch would pitch the last 2 innings picking up the save. Hesch gave up 1 run on 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2.

On Offense the Hi-liners picked up 6 hits by 6 different players.

 

Game 2

The second game was not as pleasant for Valley City. The Hi-liners were no hit in the contest and dropped the game 11-0 in 5 innings. VCHS would use 4 pitchers throughout the game.  Avery Bennefeld got the start and went 1 inning and wascredited with the loss. Conner May would pitch 1.1 innings, as would Corey Nelson. Cayden Lloyd would be the final pitcher of the night pitching a 1/3 of inning.

VC record sits at 1-1.  Next action for Hi-liners is well up in the air. The April 5th game at Grand Forks has been postponed already. April 9th is the next schedule date to play, but that is still up in air if will get to play that game.

 

Coaches Comments

“It was great to get outside and play baseball.  Being it was our first time outside at all this spring I was pleased with what I say from the team.  We played good defense as well and had some great pitching from some guys.  Taylor was on point from the start of the game.  I hated taking him off the mound but being the first time out there I wasn’t going to over extend him right away in the season.”

“Our hitting the first game I was pleased with.  Our history that hasn’t been very good at start of season.  We did some good things at the plate, but of course there are many ways to improve.”

Submitted by Coach Lance Lukes