Blooming Prairie Baseball Defeats Bethlehem Academy

There were a lot of baserunners in the game for both teams. Despite the high number of walks the game was over in 2 hours 12 minutes.

Bethlehem Academy started the game with a walk to leadoff hitter junior Aiden Tobin following by a perfectly executed bunt by senior Lucas Linnemann to place runners at first and second with nobody out.

Blooming Prairie pitcher Luke Larkoski struck out the next two batters and got a grounder to end the Cardinals hopes of scoring early.

Freshman Michael Crone started for the Cardinals on the mound. After striking out the first two batters the next two Awesome Blossoms walked. #5 hitter Drew Kittleson smacked an RBI single followed by a 2 RBI single by Christopher Naatz.

Blooming Prairie led 3-0.

Bethlehem Academy tied the game in the top of the second inning. Sophomore Zachary Donkers opened the inning with a 3-2 count walk. After an out was recorded freshman Andrew Caron jumped on the first pitch he saw for a single. The second out was then recorded.

Tobin connected for a 2 RBI single. He would steal second base and score on an error to tie the game at 3.

In the top of the 4th inning the Cardinals scored again with two outs to take a 4-3 lead, Boe Dienst walked. Freshman Elliott Viland went in to be the courtesy runner for the catcher.

Cleanup hitter JJ Malecha was hit by a pitch. Crone had a 1-2 count RBI single.

In the bottom of the fourth inning Alex Miller opened the Blooming Prairie inning with a walk. He stole second base. Following an out Charlie Heimerman was safe on an error. With bases loaded Kittleson hit a towering fly ball to right field that resulted in a sacrifice fly RBI.

The game was tied at 4.

Bethlehem Academy would not record a hit the final three innings. A walk started the 5th inning and two walks happened in the inning but the Cardinals couldn't get the timely hit.

Crone's time on the hill ended after 4 innings. He threw 100 pitches, 47 for strikes with 4 strikeouts, 8 walks, 6 hits allowed. 4 runs scored, 3 earned.

Linnemann came on in the bottom of the 5th inning. Following a popup Jacob Naats jumped on a belt high fastball for a double. The second out was recorded.

Top of the order Blooming Prairie batter Alex Miller worked the count full and fought off a couple of tough pitches before cracking an RBI double. Joe Pirkl followed by jumping on the first pitch for an RBI double. He would score on an error and the Awesome Blossoms had a 7-4 lead.

The Cardinals fought in the top of the 7th inning. They got the winning run at the plate.

The inning opened with a popout. Caron was walked. He stole second and the throw attempting to get him out ended up in centerfield. Caron moved to third base on the error. He would score on a balk.

Junior Jax Bokman walked and ended the game stranded at third base. A pop out and strikeout ended the game.

Larkoski earned the win going 6 innings with 103 pitches, 58 strikes, 4 strikeouts, 8 walks, a hit batter and 6 hits allowed.

Kittleson threw the final inning with 22 pitches, 10 strikes,1 strikeout, 2 walks and no hits allowed.

Bethlehem Academy falls to 1-8. Blooming Prairie is 3-6.

The two teams play again Tuesday at Bell Field in Faribault. First pitch is 5:00 p.m.

The line totals in my scorebook were:

Bethlehem Academy 5 runs, 6 hits, 3 errors,12 runners left on base, 7 scoring position
Blooming Prairie 7 runs, 7 hits, 3 errors, 12 runners left, 8 in scoring position

The Malecha's Auto Body Faribault Crunch Time Performer of the game was Andrew Caron for his two runs scored. After a single in the second inning and walk in the 7th.

The Cashwise Foods and Pharmacy of Owatonna Delivery of the game was the Alex Miller full count double to give Blooming Prairie a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning.

Other reported baseball scores Monday: