Jacob Cates recorded 19 strikeouts as Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn beat Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire 4-3 May 16 at Hartley. The win allowed the Hawks to even their early-season record at 1-1.
Cates struck out at least two batters in each of the seven innings. He retired the side in order on strikes in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings. The senior hurler allowed three runs on two hits. Two of the runs were earned. He issued no walks but did hit two batters.
The Titans got on the board early with two runs in the first. HMS answered with a run in the bottom of the inning. Jack Mastbergen doubled and Aiden Bush singled. Cates grounded out to shortstop, driving in Mastbergen.
The Hawks took the lead with three runs in the fourth. Blake Meedering kept the inning alive with a two-out single and then stole second. Lawton Schiphoff struck out but a passed ball allowed him to reach first and enabled Meendering to advance to third. From there he scored on an error to tie the game. Ricky Smith followed with a double, sending Schiphoff to third. Hunter Daggett then hit a ball that was misplayed by the second baseman, allowing both runners to score.
GTRA scored an unearned run in the sixth inning to draw within one. Cates then closed out the game with four final strikeouts.
The Hawks had just the four hits in the game. They commited three errors compared to just two for the Titans.
GTRA 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 – 3
HMS 1 0 0 3 0 0 x – 4