The team started out with a convincing win over a team from Alexandria. Easton Bethel got the win on the mound, and the Otters were led offensively by Lucas Formo (2-4, HR, 2RBI) and Micah Rasmussen (3-3, walk).
The Otters then faced PRBA in the semifinals. After falling down by 4 runs in the first, the Otters clawed back to take the lead in the top of the 6th inning (the tournament games are scheduled for 6 innings), with a clutch RBI double from Micah Rasmussen and sacrifice fly off the bat of Rhys Kruger. The Otters gave up an unearned run in the bottom of the inning to allow PRBA to tie the score. The Otters were able to remain focused and pushed across a run in the top of the 7th as Tayten Nelson walked and came around to score. They were able to hold PRBA in the bottom of the inning to preserve the hard-fought 8-7 extra-inning victory. Easton Bethel was 3-3 for the game and Eli Fullhart pitched 3 2/3 strong innings.
The Otters took home the championship with a convincing 20-4 victory in the finale over Granite Falls. In the championship game, Tanner Donahue pitched 4 strong innings, and they had strong games at the plate from Easton Bethel (2-3, HR, 5 RBI) and Jacob Hanson (2-4. 2 RBI). The tournament victory was a true team effort as all 11 players scored at least two runs on the day. The tournament victory secures an invite to the Minnesota Sports Federation State Tournament in Albert Lea at the end of July.
The Otters record is at 10-3 after the weekend.
This year’s team consists of Lucas Formo, Jacob Hanson, Rhys Krueger, Tayten Nelson, Eli Fullhart, Micah Rasmussen, Keaton Babolian, Tanner Donaghue, Easton Bethel, Maddox Haus, and Luke Johnson.
