By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Bluffton took an early lead, but couldn’t hang on, as they fell to the Cold Spring Springers by a score of 7-3 in 12 innings in the round of 16 at the state Class B baseball tournament on Sunday. 

The Braves took the lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a Cold Spring error with two outs that brought a runner across the plate. Isaac Hamann put the Braves up 2-0 with a two out RBI single as Bluffton controlled the momentum early on in the contest. 

The Springers answered right back in the top of the third inning with some two out magic of their own as Brady Schafer connected with an RBI single, while a second run scored on a throwing error to tie the game at 2-2.

The game remained tied at 2-2 until the 12th inning when the Springers were able to plate five runs, of which just two were earned. Brady Klehr opened the inning with a single. After an error and a bunt single to load the bases, Drew Bulson gave Cold Spring its first lead of the game when he earned a bases loaded walk. They would go on to score four more runs to set up a do-or-die bottom of the 12th inning for the Braves.

Bluffton didn’t go away quietly as Cold Spring committed three errors in the inning and allowed a run to come across the plate on the fielder’s choice to end the game by a score of 7-3.

Bluffton pumped out 12 hits as a team with Josh Dykhoff and Justin Dykhoff leading the way with three hits apiece, while Hamann and Tyson Barthel each picked up a pair of hits. 

Roseau draftee Isaac Wensloff started the game for the Braves on the hill and pitched five innings and gave up just seven hits, two runs of which one was earned and struck out six batters. Josh Dykhoff took the loss on the mound in relief as he surrendered just five hits and three runs of which one was earned, while striking out five batters over six innings. Fergus Falls draftee Darin Stanislawski pitched one inning in relief and gave up two runs of which one was earned, while striking out two batters.

The Braves end the season with a record of 20-2 overall and a trip in its first state tournament since 2023.

Head coach Terry Geiser thanked all of the loyal fans who supported the Braves throughout the season and made the trip to New Prague. He said the support doesn’t go unnoticed and is very much appreciated.

AB R H     BI

Isaac Hamann 6 0 2 1

Josh Dykhoff 5 1 2 0

Kobe Snyder 3 0 0 0

Connor Davis 6 0 1 0

Justin Dykhoff 6 0 3 0

Payton Rondest. 5 1 0 0

Hunter Sweere 1 0 0 0

Tyson Barthel 6 0 2 0

Wyatt Hamann 4 0 0 0

Logan Pulju 2 0 0 0

Gabe Geiser 6 1 1 0

PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-k)- Isaac Wensloff 5-7-2-1-0-6, Josh Dykhoff 6-5-3-1-1-5, Darin Stanislawski 1-2-2-1-1-2