Braves to travel to NYM on July 3 for fireworks game

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

On a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon, the Bluffton Braves split a doubleheader with the Perham Pirates.

After securing a 5-3 win over the Pirates in the opening game of the afternoon, Bluffton fell to Perham by a score of 2-1 in the nightcap for just their second loss on the season and first in Hi-10 action. 

In the opening game of the afternoon, Bluffton got on the scoreboard quickly as Isaac Hamann led off the bottom of the first inning with a double. He scored on a Connor Davis RBI single to take a 1-0 lead.

After Perham tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the third inning the Braves struck again when Hamann once again led off the inning with a single and would later score to make the score 2-1 in favor of the Braves.

Bluffton put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fourth inning when Logan Pulju walked, before Kolston Lofgren and Gabe Geiser followed with back-to-back singles to load up the bases with two outs.

Hamann followed with an RBI when he reached on an error and Payton Rondestvedt followed with a two-run single to make the score 5-1 in favor of the Braves. 

Perham made a game of it by scoring a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning, but Bluffton was able to hold on for a 5-3 win.

Hamann and Rondestvedt led the way offensively with a pair of hits, while Davis, Lofgren and Geiser all picked up a hit in the win.

Rondestvedt picked up the win on the hill as he went five innings and gave up 12 hits, three runs and struck out four batters. Hamann pitched two scoreless innings, while giving up just two hits and struck out four batters to secure the win.

In the nightcap. Bluffton Connor Davis hit a sacrifice fly to bring Payton Rondestvedt across the plate in the top of the first inning, but Bluffton could not hang on as they fell by a score of 2-1 to Perham.

Perham trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning when they led off the inning with a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1. The Pirates struck again with another solo home run in walk-off fashion with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to come away with the 2-1 win. 

Bluffton had its chances throughout the game as they stranded runners in scoring position in the final five innings of the game. 

Isaac Hamann, Davis, Pulju, Connor Davis and Isaac Kawlewski all collected a hit in the loss.

Tyson Barthel took the loss on the mound as he gave up just two runs, five hits and struck out five batters in the loss. 

The Braves are currently 12-2 in league action and 11-1 in the Hi-10. 

This week the Braves will travel to New York Mills on Thursday for the annual July 3 fireworks baseball game, before taking an extended break in action until they host Sebeka on Sunday, July 13. 

Bluffton, who has been bumped up to Class B this season, is currently ranked third in the state with 28 points. Jordan is the top ranked team with 38 points, while Cold Spring is ranked second. 

State rankings as of June 26 include: 

1. Jordan Brewers (38)(1)

2. Cold Spring Springers (31)(5)

3. Bluffton Braves (28)(2)

4. Bird Island Bullfrogs (28)(6)

5. Young America Cardinals (26)(7)

6. Buckman Billygoats (23)(3)

7. Delano A’s (14)(4)

8. Watertown Red Devils (11)(NR)

9. New Ulm Brewers (11)(8)

10. Raymond Rockets (4)(9)

Also receiving votes: Austin Greyhounds, Watkins Clippers, Fairmont Martins, Webster Sox, Sobieski Skis.