Cougars split challenging road stretch
The Central McLean Cougars experienced both ends of the baseball spectrum during a demanding two-game stretch last week, falling to a powerful Washburn Post 12 squad before bouncing back with an offensive outburst in a thrilling 15-12 victory over the Renville County Muskrats.
The split showcased the resilience of a Cougar team that responded quickly after a difficult loss and demonstrated the offensive potential that Head Coach Gryphon Mulkey believes can carry the team forward.
Central McLean opened the week Thursday, June 18, on the road against Washburn Post 12. The Cougars ran into a hot Washburn lineup that collected 15 hits and steadily built a lead on the way to an 11-2 victory.
Washburn struck first with two runs in the opening inning and extended the advantage with four more in the third and three in the fourth.
By the time the Cougars got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning, the deficit had grown too large to overcome.
Despite being held hitless, Central McLean managed two runs in the sixth.
Cooper Kittler and Jayden Troyna each drove in a run for the Cougars, who battled throughout the contest despite struggling to generate offense.
Dawson Smith, Ethan Hanson, Kittler, Jackson Blotter, Chase Kinn, Troyna, Landon Saueressig, Beckett Vaagene and Aiden Hanson all saw action at the plate, but Washburn pitching kept the Cougar lineup from finding a breakthrough hit.
On the mound, Saueressig worked all six innings for Central McLean.
The right-hander struck out six batters while allowing 11 runs, eight of them earned, on 15 hits.
Although the loss was disappointing, Mulkey viewed it as an important learning opportunity for a young pitching staff.