Bulldogs win playoff opener
Shortstop Bryce Radloff fields a ground ball in MFL MarMac’s 11-1 win over Clayton Ridge-Central on June 27. The Bulldogs closed out the regular season with a 3-1 stretch, then won their postseason opener over North Fayette Valley. (Photos by Audrey Posten)
Landon Johnson sprints to first base in MFL MarMac’s win over the War Eagles. He reached base four times in the game.
Brayden Gordon connects with a pitch in the win over the War Eagles.
Jacob Schellhorn defeated Clayton Ridge-Central last week, then followed it up by shutting out North Fayette Valley in the Bulldogs' postseason opener.
Elias Hatt doubled twice in the MFL MarMac win over the War Eagles.
Jaxon Millage was 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored versus CR-C.
Third baseman Ben Krambeer throws the ball to first base in last week's game against the War Eagles.
Austin Schlee catches a pitch from teammate Jacob Schellhorn in the game versus Clayton Ridge-Central.
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
The MFL MarMac baseball team has advanced to the second round of the Class 2A district tournament after a 10-0 win over North Fayette Valley in five innings on July 1.
Pitcher Jacob Schellhorn allowed just one hit and a walk, while striking out six TigerHawks. The Bulldog offense backed him up, scoring in every inning and with nearly every starter picking up a hit.
Ben Krambeer was 2-3 with an RBI and run scored. Schellhorn, Parker Kuehl, Jaxon Millage and Landon Johnson all singled and knocked in a run, while Elias Hatt drove in a runner on a double. Schellhorn scored twice.
The Bulldogs were also relentless on the base paths, stealing six bags. Pinch runner Carter Lightfoot snagged two and Krambeer, Radloff, Brayden Gordon and Cayl Anderson each had one.
The victory capped off a 3-1 week for MFL MarMac that included wins over conference champion South Winneshiek as well as Clayton Ridge-Central and Waukon.
The Bulldogs won the first game of a June 26 doubleheader against South Winn 3-0, behind an eight-inning gem by pitcher Austin Evanson. The senior allowed just five hits, two walks and a hit batter, while striking out five Warriors.
MFL MarMac scored all three of its runs in the top of the eighth. Millage drove in a run, followed by a big two-RBI double courtesy of Johnson. Along with Millage, Kuehl and Krambeer also crossed the plate that inning.
South Winn, who, prior to that loss, had been beaten just once this season by an Upper Iowa Conference opponent, won the second match-up 7-2. The Warriors erupted for six runs in the third inning, chasing starter Krambeer from the game. Millage allowed three walks, a hit batter and an earned run in relief.
The Bulldog defense committed an uncharacteristic four errors, contributing to five unearned runs. South Winn also stole a pair of bases.
MFL MarMac scratched across only three hits against Warrior starter Jamie Kuennen. Kuehl doubled and picked up a sacrifice, in addition to scoring a run. Millage also doubled and scored, while Johnson singled. Krambeer and Jaron Wille were responsible for the RBIs.
An 11-1 rout of Clayton Ridge-Central got the Bulldogs back in the win column June 27. MFL MarMac tallied 10 hits, and was bolstered by a five-run second inning.
Johnson reached base four times on a single, triple and two hit by pitches. He drove in three runs and scored twice. Millage was 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Gordon knocked in three runs after doubling and singling. Hatt doubled twice and walked, picked up an RBI and scored twice.
The win went to Schellhorn, who held the War Eagles to two hits, a walk and hit batter—and only one run—in five innings. He tallied eight strikeouts.
MFL MarMac concluded the regular season with a 3-1 win over Waukon on June 28. The Bulldog runs all came in the third inning, including RBIs from Schellhorn and Hatt. Radloff doubled, walked and scored a run.
Nick Krambeer picked up the victory after limiting the Indians to four hits, a walk, hit batter and one earned run across six innings.
Saturday’s win over NFV sets MFL MarMac up for a re-match with Waukon in the second round of the playoffs. The Indians had a first round bye and are 15-18 this season, while the Bulldogs are now 18-11. The two teams will play July 5, at 5 p.m., at Mikkelson Park in New Hampton. The winner will advance to the Class 2A District 6 final against New Hampton or Osage, with the game to be played Saturday, July 8.
