A third-inning rally put the Bulldogs in the lead, and Baltic was able to hold off McCook Central/Montrose to earn a 5-4 win in the opening game of the softball season on Monday, March 30th.
The Cougars scored a run in the top of the first inning for an early 1-0 lead. K Rollinger had a two-out, RBI double in the bottom of the first to tie the game 1-1. McCook Central/Montrose went back in front, 2-1, with another run in the top of the second.
The score remained 2-1 until the bottom of the fourth. A Hoekman put the Bulldogs in front, 4-2, with a three-run home run. A Klein added an RBI ground out later in the inning to give Baltic a 5-2 advantage. McCook Central/Montrose pulled within a run, 5-4, with a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning. Baltic was able to stop the rally. The Cougars went down one, two, three in the bottom of the seventh as Baltic held for the win.
Hoekman had two hits, including the home run, and three RBIs. Rollinger had an RBI double. Kaylee Siemonsma and Amelia Sinding both had a single, and Klein added an RBI. Charlee Blommer pitched seven innings and allowed four runs, three earned, on seven hits and three walks with 12 strikeouts.
