Confidence boosters

Hitting, pitching and defense were all key contributors to Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's 10-0 win over Trinity Christian on June 1.

The Hawks' hit total matched their scoring output, led by Tanner Tesch with three hits (one double), three runs scored and three runs batted in. Bradley Van Beek hit a single and a double, and drove in two runs, and Jack Mastbergen had two hits and an RBI. Jacob Cates, Evan Eilers and Ben Waddell each contributed a single.

In the field, H-M-S played error-free baseball and on the mound Cates allowed just two hits, walked three and struck out 10.

"I was happy to see all three aspects of the game finally come together. We played a clean game in the field behind Jacob and put a lot of good swings on the ball at the plate," said Hawk coach Jeremy Gloden. "Jacob was efficient on the mound. He was able to cut down on the walks and kept their hitters off balance."

H-M-S took control with a four-run first inning. Tesch drove in the first two runs with a double and Mastbergen drove in another with a single.

Run-scoring singles by Tesch and Van Beek led to two runs in the second inning. The third run scored on an error. Van Beek doubled home one of H-M-S's two runs in the fourth inning, and Eilers' single in the sixth drove in Ethan Diehm with the final run.

"It was definitely a confidence boost," Gloden noted.

• vs. Gehlen Catholic

A late run proved to be the difference when H-M-S played Gehlen Catholic on June 2. The Jays broke the tie in the sixth inning to earn the 4-3 win at LeMars.

A fast start put H-M-S in front. Jacob Cates and Bradley Van Beek each hit a run-scoring single in the first inning and Blake Meendering followed with an RBI groundout.

"I loved how we came out and put up three runs right away. We put a lot of good swings on the ball and put pressure on them," Gloden said. "Unfortunately, their pitcher [Gabe Wiltgen] settled in and limited us for the remainder of the game."

H-M-S's lead didn't last long, as Gehlen Catholic scored three runs in their half of the opening inning. But the Jays were stymied by Hawk pitchers Tyson Tessum and Tanner Tesch over the next four innings.

"Tyson and Tanner were a great duo on the mound and they both pitched very well," Gloden noted.

Gehlen Catholic scored the game-winner in the sixth inning on a wild pitch.

Tessum gave up three runs on four hits and walked three in three innings. Tesch also pitched three innings and allowed one hit and one run. He struck out two.

At the plate, Cates finished with two hits while Meendering, Tesch and Van Beek each had one.

"Gehlen Catholic is a great team and we gave them everything we had," Gloden said. "I'm hoping this creates confidence and gives us a boost moving into the heart of our schedule."

H-M-S (2-5, 0-2) hosts Unity Christian on June 9 and a rematch with Gehlen Catholic (1A No. 10) on June 14. In between, the Hawks play at Remsen St. Mary's (1A No. 3) on June 12 and at Emmetsburg on June 13.