Hampton Baseball Drops Doubleheader Versus Algona

The Hampton-Dumont-CAL (HDCAL) baseball team dropped both games of a doubleheader versus the Algona Bulldogs at home on Thursday, June 19. The games were originally supposed to be played on Monday, June 16, but the games were suspended due to inclement weather. It was the only two games the Bulldogs would play last week, due to rainouts on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday’s game versus Janesville and Wednesday’s game versus West Marshall were canceled. The Bulldogs lost the first game 10-0 and the second game 10-1 and both games ended due to the mercy rule after six innings. 

In game one HDCAL would play as the home team. Algona would score three runs in the top of the first inning, one run in the top of the second inning, one run in the top of the fourth inning and five runs in the top of the fifth inning. HDCAL was unable to record a hit, but sophomore Carson Helmke and senior Camden Peil each drew a walk and senior Taylor Mahler was hit by a pitch. Senior Jaxon Moats was the starting pitcher in game one for HDCAL and he tossed four innings, allowing five runs on two hits and three walks while striking out one Algona batter. Head coach of the Bulldogs, Matt Lokenvitz, discussed how Moats has pitched well all season.

“Moats has been awesome for us this year,” said Lokenvitz. “He has only thrown over 80 pitches once and has not thrown over 90 pitches once and he has started five games for us. He has just been really great for us and he keeps going out there and I know the consistency I am going to get from him.” 

In game two HDCAL would play as the away team. HDCAL would score the first run of the game in the top of the first inning, after Helmke started the game with a lead-off single and came around to score after a stolen base and a throwing error. That would be the only run HDCAL would score as Algina would respond with one run in the bottom of the first inning, three runs in the bottom of the second inning, six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and one run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Helmke, Mahler, freshman Blaek Burmester, senior Jaymes Stevens and sophomore Hunter Rieken picked up the five HDCAL hits. Senior Brody Robertson was the starting pitcher for HDCAL, and he pitched three and two-thirds innings and allowed 10 runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out one Algona batter.

The losses drops HDCAL’s record to 4-13 on the season and 2-7 in conference play. HDCAL will play in five games next week, having played in a doubleheader on Monday, June 23 at St. Edmond and having hosted West Fork on Tuesday, June 24. HDCAL will host a doublehead versus Saydel on Thursday, June 26 at 5:00 and 7:30 p.m.