In the opening round, the Otters faced Breckenridge and took care of business, defeating the Cowboys 17-3 in 5 innings. Jackson Conklin earned the victory, providing 4 strong innings before giving way to Cam Wedierich from the bullpen. The Otters pounded out 11 hits in a balanced attack. Otters were led at the plate by Jacob Fronning (2-4), Cam Weiderich (2-3, RBI), Isaiah Holmes (2-3, 3 RBI), Brant Scheuerman (2-2, RBI), Micah Johnson (1-3, RBI), Parker Thielke (1-3, 3RBI) and Holden Stenstrom (1-2, RBI).
The win afforded the Otters the opportunity to avenge 3 early season losses to a talented OTC 15U team in the second round of bracket play. OTC jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on 2 hits and an error and a walk. This would be all OTC needed as a strong pitching performance from OTC's Erik Fick held the Otters in check as they could only scratch across single runs in the 3rd and 6th innings. OTC added an insurance run of their own in the bottom of the 6th, securing the 4-2 victory. A gutsy pitching performance from Micah Johnson was not enough as he did not allow an earned run and scattered 3 hits over 4 innings of work with Powers providing the final 2 innings of relief. Fergus Falls out hit their opponents 6 to 4 but fell short in the runs column. Weiderich (1-3, RBI), Holmes (1-3, RBI), Powers (1-3), Johnson (1-3), Quinn Wynn-Sheldon (1-3), and Ethan Swedberg (1-1, 2B) each got one hit in the game.
The loss put the Otters in the losers bracket where they were matched up in an elimination game facing a talented PRBA Blue (Brandon/Evansville, Ashby, WCA). The Otters jumped ahead early and looked like they were going to run away with the game, putting up 6 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning and building to a 10-4 lead after 6 innings, but PRBA Blue did not back down and tied the game at 10 in the top of the 7th, setting the stage for late inning heroics. The Otters stepped up to the challenge in the bottom of the 7th when Micah Johnson led off and reached on an error and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Thielke. This brought Brant Scheuerman to the plate with the game winning run standing on second base. On this hot day, Scheuerman had ice in his veins and he took a hack at the first pitch, singling, sending a line drive to left field and an errant play by the left fielder allowed the speedy Johnson to come around and score the game winning walk-off run, keeping the season alive for one more game. The Otters managed 10 hits, led at the plate by Holmes who was 4-4 with an RBI. Weiderich (1-3), Thielke (1-3, 2RBI), Powers (1-2, RBI), Johnson (1-3, RBI), Scheuerman (1-3) and Wynn-Sheldon (1-4, 2 RBI) each added hits. Swedeberg got the start on the mound and went 4 strong innings allowing 3 hits and 0 earned runs, before handing the ball to Scheuerman and Powers who combined for the final 3 innings of work.
The excitement didn’t last long as the Otters had to immediately turn around and face the #1 seeded Alexandria Cardinals in an elimination tilt after the Cardinals were upset by Parkers Prairie in their second round game. Alexandria was able to push 2 runs across in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th innings, most of which were the result of timely 2 out hitting. This was a tough series of circumstances for the young Otters as the 90 degree heat and fatigue of the day set in and they were eliminated, losing 6-0 to the Cards, ending the season.
The Otters managed 6 hits, but suffered many unfortunate results of great at-bats and hard hit balls that seemed to consistently be right at the Cardinals' defense. Holmes (1-4), Powers (1-3), Thielke (1-3, 2B), Wynn-Sheldon (1-1), Scheuerman (1-3), and Swedberg (1-1, 2B) each had hits in the game. Holmes got the start on the hill and battled the heat for 4 innings before giving way to Powers for the final 2 innings.
Head Coach Shane Thielke commented on the season: "It was not the way we wanted it to end, but having to go through both OTC and Alexandria was a tough draw in the tournament. This is an exceptional group of young men who also happen to be a really good baseball team. I am proud of their season and look forward to the future of Otter Baseball. A special thanks to the parents and families as well as assistant coaches Dave Sagerhorn, Ryan Johnson, Chris Weiderich, and Dustin Wynn.
The 14U Otters finished the 2022 baseball season with a record of 25-12.
