By Bruce Karnick

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Early season amateur baseball games are tough. The older guys are still getting into game shape and the college / high school kids are still playing for their school teams. The advantage of playing the early season games is, the other teams are in the same boat, so anything can and usually does happen, which is also part of the fun of amateur baseball.

The Northfield Knights came to town on Mother’s Day for a matinee game at Veterans Park. The Hawks had arranged to get flowers from Meloy Park Florist to give to the moms that came to the game, and State Senator Karla Bigham tossed the ceremonial first pitch. Sunday was a beautiful day for baseball.

The game started out with the teams getting a feel for each other. Headed into the top of the fourth inning, it was tied 0-0. That is when the Knights bats woke up. Thomas Meland hit a single up the middle to start the inning. Then, CCVL veteran, Tim Maus hit a soft pop up to shallow left center. The Hawks short stop, Jason Greeder, made a run for the ball which popped out of his outstretched glove allowing both runners to reach safely. That play was discussed heavily in the press box for nearly three innings. Was it an error? A hit? Ultimately, it was decided that the drop was an error, an error that proved to be costly. By the time the top of the fourth inning was over, Hastings found themselves in a 4-0 hole.

The Hawks earned two runs back by the bottom of the fifth. Northfield added to their lead in the seventh to make the game 5-2 and they were not done. In the top of the ninth, Eric Pittman drilled the pitch from Andrew Kemper over the left field fence for a two-run homer. Northfield went on to win 7-2 over the Hastings Hawks.

Jordan Jeske was the pitcher of record for the Hawks allowing one earned run in six innings pitched. He logged five strikeouts on 106 pitches. Andrew Kemper appeared in relief striking out two, walking three on 64 pitches.

Greeder and Ben Bundschu provided the RBIs for Hastings, but Hastings left eight base runners on.

The Hawks host Wanamingo on Saturday, May 15th at 2:00, then host Dundas on Friday, May 21st. For the full schedule and stats, visit www.hastingshawks. com. If you are not able to attend, the Hawks do broadcast their games online.

Jordan Jeske started the game for Hastings. Jeske pitched four innings, allowing four runs, three unearned, striking out five and walking two.

Photo by Troy Nordine.