Cardinals tested early, respond with strong week on diamond
The Washburn/Wilton/Center-Stanton Cardinals baseball team opened the 2026 season with a demanding three-game stretch, battling through close contests and showing early signs of resilience and confidence.
The week began April 7 on the road against a strong Beulah squad, where the Cardinals pushed one of Region VIII’s top teams into extra innings before falling 4-3 in 12 innings.
Head coach Cyril Nagurski said the performance set a positive tone despite the result.
“We looked great. I think we surprised a lot of people including ourselves,” Nagurski said. “We went into 12 innings with Beulah, lost 4-3.”
Washburn/Wilton/Center-Stanton generated offense throughout the lineup in the marathon game.
Tanner Fiedler led the way with a 2-for-5 performance and a walk, while River Kjelstrup went 1-for-3 with an RBI and two walks.
Ethan Retterath added a hit, an RBI, and a walk, and Oscar Wood chipped in a hit across six at-bats.
On the mound, the Cardinals received a standout effort from Retterath in relief.