Bulldog Baseball Extends Winning Streak To Six

By Daniel Makarewicz

Three mercy-rule wins helped the Highland baseball team extend its winning streak to six games. In fact, the Bulldogs scored at least 15 runs in victories over Granite City, Wesclin and Mater Dei.

Highland opened the week with a 16-2, 5-inning win over Granite City at GCS Park in Sauget. Senior Matt Miscik finished 2-for-2 with a home run, double and five RBIs. Juniors Caleb Fohne and Landon Gunter both added three RBIs in the victory. The Bulldogs drew seven walks and struck out once.

Juniors Kye Kruse and Nick Schoeck allowed three hits in the contest.

A 10-run first inning propelled Highland to a 15-0, 4-inning win over Wesclin at Glik Park on April 6. Miscik again went 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs. Senior Luke Darling and sophomore Jake Ottensmeier contributed two RBIs. Nine players finished with a hit.

Juniors Grayson Klucker and Austin Werner combined for a one-hit shutout.

Capping the week was a 15-5, 6-inning win over Mater Dei on April 9. In that game, the Bulldogs matched Mater Dei’s three-run first in their half of the frame. Highland actually scored at least three runs in four innings.

Ottensmeier finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs and four runs scored. Darling smacked two hits and drove in three runs and senior Zach Wilken added two RBIs.

Fohne, sophomore Trent Clemons and senior Blaise Pearson scattered seven hits and allowed two earned runs on the mound.

“We got everybody involved, and that part is good,” Highland coach Joel Hawkins said. “Everybody is wanting to hit, so that’s a good problem. You want guys to get out there and show what they can do. That part is really good. … We need everyone to contribute.”