Clay Leidall, Brady Schuster Lead Owatonna Baseball Past Century 4-1

Senior Clay Leidall tossed a three-hit complete game in the Huskies 4-1 win at Century High School. Owatonna cashed in on two opportunities to score their runs.

The Huskies loaded the bases in the fourth inning on an unusual call. After two walks and two strikeouts, DH Nathan Deason was awarded first base on catcher's interference on a slow roller to second base. On the field there was confusion as players began to leave the field after the ball was thrown to the first baseman. Those in the press box were left guessing on what was called. The situation set the stage for sophomore Brady Schuster, who was making his varsity debut and struck out on three pitches the previous inning. Schuster smashed a long drive to right center, driving in all three runners for a 3-0 lead. He also played well at third base, cleanly fielding four balls hit his way.

Century scored their run in the fifth on a two-base error and a double.

The Huskies scratched an insurance run across in the seventh. Ben Staska pinch hit for Noah Budach and earned a walk. Budach re-entered the game, stole second and third and scored on a passed ball.

Leidall fielded a dribbler to start the seventh then allowed a bunt single up the third base line. The Huskies turned a 4-6-3 double play to end the game. Leidall ended up with a three-hitter, striking out three and walking one. He also made several nice defensive plays.

Leidall and Schuster shared the Kottke Jeweler's Diamond Player of the Game award.

Owatonna (3-2) plays Mankato East on Friday at 4PM at Siebert Field at the University of Minnesota. Century (1-3) travels to Winona for a Saturday doubleheader.

Baseball scoreboard for Thursday, April 21
Owatonna 4, Century 1
NRHEG 9, Blooming Prairie 4 (Dempsey Tucker: three hits, complete game win)
WEM 10, Medford 0
Hayfield 6, Triton 2
Mankato West 11, Marshall 1 (five innings)
Austin 4, Rochester Mayo 2
Rochester Mayo 12, Austin 7
Waseca 1, New Ulm 0
Cannon Falls 3, Lourdes 2 (eight innings)
Pine Island 10, Goodhue 8
Kasson-Mantorville 5, Byron 2