The Chargers started the day with an 8-1 win over Ottertail Central.  Winning pitcher Mikenna Pattrin allowed only two hits and an unearned run in the five inning win, striking out five batters and walking two.  Hitting leaders were Bailey Schaefer (2-3, 3 RBI), Kaytlyn Pattrin (2-3, 2R, RBI), Kylee Dingwall (1-3, 2R, 2 RBI) and Olivia Otto (1-2, 2R).

“We came into today with a lot of excitement, anticipation and unknowns about how things would go,” said B-E Head Coach Kasi Sieling.  “It took a little bit to get settled in and work the nerves out, but this group did a great job of being patient in the box to find their pitch and move girls around.  Mikenna threw a solid game and the defense worked really well behind her to get outs.  Getting a win in the first game we’ve played together since 2019 was an exciting feeling and nice to be out on the field again.”

Game two saw the Chargers record a 5-3 win over Breckenridge/Wahpeton.  This time Bailey Schaefer (5IP, 4H, 3R, 2ER, 2BB, 4K) was the winning pitcher.  Schaefer (2-2, 3B, RBI, 2R), Sydney Schaefer (2-3, R), Otto (1-2, 2B, RBI) and Mikenna Pattrin (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, R) led the hitting attack.

“This season we are going to have to ask our players to step out of their comfort zones and do some different things to help the team be successful and in this game senior Bailey Schaefer was asked to step in and pitch for the first time since her Summer Rec days and she did an outstanding job in her debut in the circle,” reported Coach Sieling.  “Defensively, newcomers Kendra Klimek and Kylee Dingwall made some key plays, which is always exciting to see early in the season.  Offensively, we put the ball in play consistently and were aggressive on the bases to get runs in.  This was a really fun game to see the girls come together and do some of the little things on the bases we have been working on.”

A 12-1 win over the host Minnewaska Area Lakers closed out the successful first day of competition for Brandon-Evansville.  The Chargers banged out 12 hits in the game, led by Kiley Lund (3-3, 2 RBI, 2R), Bailey Schaefer (3-4, 3B, RBI, 3R), Sydney Schaefer (2-4, RBI), Korrie Randt (1-3, 2R) and Mikenna Pattrin (1-4, 2 RBI, R).

“By the third game of the day the girls were getting more comfortable all around being back on the field,” said Sieling.  “We were able to jump to an early lead in the first inning by being patient in the box and then putting the pressure on the defense.  In the bottom half of the first inning Bailey and Olivia Otto, in her first games at shortstop, connected to catch a girl stealing at second base.  Olivia did a solid job stepping into the shortstop role today on short notice and it was awesome to see her connect with Bailey to catch multiple girls stealing today.  In this final game of the day the bats stayed hot and we hit the ball hard and put the pressure on the defense to make plays.”

Sieling summarized the day this way, “This was an exciting start to the season after everything these girls have gone through to get to this point.  I am extremely proud of how every single one of our players really stepped up and did everything they could today to help the team be successful.  We still have some things to improve on, but it’s always nice to open the season with a day like today.”