Harris-Lake
Park seized an early lead
Thursday in their Class 1A District semifinal game against South O’Brien,
however, the Wolverines answered with a big offensive output for a 15-5 win in
five innings in Hartley. HLP senior Nathan Kyle smashed a two-run blast to left
center, his fourth home run of the year, giving the Wolves a first inning
advantage. The Wolverines came right back to score four in the second, and five
more in the third. Harris-Lake
Park cut the deficit to
four after four, but South O’Brien ended it with a five spot in the fifth
inning. Senior Ryan Mann had a 2-for-3 night with one RBI, while Kade Heikens
tripled and scored twice. Eli Ihnen suffered the loss, allowing five earned runs
as the Wolves committed five errors defensively. Every batter but one had a hit
for the Wolverines, who tallied eleven for the game. Bret Puhrmann was the
winning pitcher, fanning seven and scattering five hits. HLP ends their season
at 15-12, an improvement of eight wins from 2011. South O’Brien, at 18-9, plays
in the district final Saturday in Storm
Lake against St. Mary’s,
who defeated Newell-Fonda, 6-3.
Click here for the postgame interview with HLP seniors Connor Gunderson, Nathan Kyle, and Ryan Mann.
In other Class 1A District Semifinals, Central Lyon defeated
Siouxland Conference rival West Lyon on the
road, 3-0. The Lions will take a 17-11 mark into Saturday’s district final in
Remsen, where they will play St. Mary’s. The Hawks eliminated Granville
Spalding Catholic, 8-3.
And in the District 4 bracket, West Bend-Mallard will
represent the Cornbelt Conference in the finals, after taking down Southeast Webster-Grand
on Thursday by a 10-1 final. The Wolverines play Saturday at Algona Bishop
Garrigan. The Golden Bears got by North Iowa,
8-0.
