Dawson Baseball Opens Season in Kansas
The Bucs kicked off their season this weekend traveling to Dodge City, Kansas to face the Dodge City Conquistadors. Game 1 saw Nathan Kojetin start on the bump for the Bucs. Kojetin started off the game hot going 2 innings, no hits and 1 strike out. However in the third inning the Bucs ran into trouble. A series of walks, hits and errors allowed the Conquistadors to hop out in front. The Bucs offense showed some flashes as Juan Salaverria would lead off the game with a single. Proffit, Hjermstad and Bykonen each had 1 hit a piece. Boede Rudd pitched 3 innings in relief giving up 6 hits and 5 earned runs. The Bucs Offense was unable to plate any runs falling 9-0 in game 1.
Game 2 saw Ben Reinker take the bump for the Bucs, going 3 innings. The defense was caught on their heels quite often giving up 6 errors and the bats were unable to wake up as the Bucs fell 12-0.
Game 3 would see Keenan Hjermstad on the hill for the Bucs. Hjermstad went 3 innings giving up 5 hits and 2 earned runs. Cody Mortenson would come in to relieve pitching 1 and ⅔ innings allowing 3 hits and 2 earned runs. The defense still struggled giving up 6 errors. The Bucs offense only produced 1 hit, a double from Hjermstad in the top of the fifth. The Bucs were shut out for the third straight game falling 10-0.
Game 4 appeared to be a step in the right direction for the Bucs. Adam Korte started on the hill going 2 and ⅓ giving up 4 hits and just 1 earned run. Zaydin Nyuli would come in relief going 3 ⅔ innings, allowing just 1 hit and 2 earned runs. The offense came to life in game 4 as the Bucs out hit Dodge City 11-5. The Bucs scored in the first 4 innings. Proffit, would drive in Salaverria on an RBI single in the first. Jarret would hit a sac fly to score Reisdorfer. Dom Phillips would score on an error after a catastrophic series of events from the Dodge City defense. In the top of the fourth Reisdorfer would lead off with a triple. Salaverria would ground out and drive Reisdorfer shortly after. The game was back and forth and neither team would roll over. The Conquistadors would take the lead in the bottom of the fifth on a passed ball. In the top of the sixth Daniel Bell would reach first on a walk followed by a 2 run homerun from Teegan Collins to take the lead right back. In the bottom of the sixth the Conquistadors would take the lead back after a series of walks and a fielder's choice that allowed 2 runs to cross for Dodge City. In the top of seventh Dodge City would steal 2 quick outs but the Bucs showed some fight as Hjermstad and Bykonen would hit back to back singles but Joel Bever would line out to left field closing the series as the Bucs fell 8-6.
The Bucs are back in action tomorrow February 10th against Western Oklahoma State College in Altus Oklahoma. First pitch at 2pm CST.
