Hawks split pair, but still alive at state tournament

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The Hastings Hawks are still alive at the state amateur baseball tournament, but making it back into the winner’s bracket will be no easy feat.

Hastings lost to Shakopee on Saturday but held on Sunday afternoon to beat Sauk Rapids.

That means the Hawks will have to win three games this weekend to stay alive and get back into the winner’s bracket. The first of those three games will come at 3:30 p.m. Saturday against Dundas. If Hastings loses, they are out of the tournament.

If they win, they play again at 1 p.m. Sunday and then at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Vs Shakopee

The Shakopee Indians beat Hastings, 8-4, in 10 innings on Saturday. Hastings scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the game to extra innings.

Hastings had seven hits on the day. Brandon Peterson and Derrick Pfeffer had two. Also collecting hits were Jordy Horsch, John Anderson and David Vogelgesang.

Pfeffer, Peterson and Vogelgesang each had RBIs.

Mark Moriarty started on the mound for the Hawks. He threw seven innings, allowing five hits and four runs. He walked one and struck out 14.

Aaron Johnson pitched to one batter, then was relieved by Erik Olson, who pitched three innings. Olson took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits.

Shakopee took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning after a leadoff triple. The Indians added to their lead in the fifth, scoring two more. In the sixth, the Indians put up another run to go up 4-0.

In the seventh inning, Hastings put up two runs. Anderson hit a leadoff single and eventually scored on a double by Pfeffer. Peterson hit a double to knock in the second run.

That set up the dramatic ninth inning. With Hastings trailing 4-2, Andy Salmela walked and advanced on a single by Pfeffer. Jake Swartout drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in a run. Vogelgesang hit a sacrifice fly to knock in the fourth and game-tying run.

In the top of the 10th, though, Shakopee rallied for four runs, three of which scored on a bases-loaded double.

Vs Sauk Rapids

Hastings beat Sauk Rapids on Sunday to stay alive, 9-7. Hastings built a big lead in the game, then had to hang on in a wild ninth inning to win. Sauk Rapids trailed 9-1 heading into the ninth and rallied for six runs before Hastings could get the third out.

Sam Ryan had two hits and two runs.

Anderson had three hits and four RBI. Pat Kelly had three hits and two runs. Aaron Gretz had two hits and an RBI.

Adam Barta earned the win on the mound. He threw 8 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and one earned run. He struck out five.

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