Cougars offense explodes
The Central McLean Cougars showed resilience during the Babe Ruth Baseball District Tournament, responding to a difficult opening-round loss with two convincing victories before closing their tournament run against the Lumberkings.
Central McLean played four games in three days from Sunday, July 12, through Tuesday, July 14. The Cougars defeated Bowman and the Belfield Knights after falling to Hettinger in the tournament opener, finishing with a 2-2 record.
The Cougars began the tournament Sunday against a Hettinger team that quickly took control on its way to a 19-1 victory in five innings.
Hettinger scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning before breaking the game open with nine runs in the third and five more in the fourth.
Central McLean was held scoreless through the first four innings before pushing across its lone run in the top of the fifth.
Pearce Levey recorded the Cougars’ only hit, finishing 1-for-2. Kasen Haraseth drove in Central McLean’s run, while Luke Walcker drew a walk.
Landon Saueressig started on the mound and worked 2 1/3 innings. He allowed eight hits and 10 runs, five earned, while walking two and striking out five. Jaxon Wagner, Levey and Ethan Saueressig also pitched in relief.
Ethan Saueressig provided a bright spot by retiring Hettinger without allowing a hit or run in the fourth inning. He struck out two batters during his scoreless frame.