Huskies have best start since 2014
Owatonna’s Nolan Rolloff fires a pitch toward home plate. Rolloff came in to relieve starter Tanner Smith late in the game against Winona. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
The Owatonna Huskies are one of Minnesota’s hottest baseball teams to start the season, riding a seven-game winning streak and boasting an 8-1 record.
The mark is the Huskies’ best start to the season since 2014 when the team also began 8-1 and featured a seven-game streak.
“The roster right now is about 15-15 guys. This great start is a factor of everybody contributing. Everybody is doing something every single game to make a difference… We feel we have a group of guys who can really play ball. It’s been a lot of fun so far,” said Owatonna Head Coach Tate Cummins.
Last week’s wins came over the likes of Faribault, Winona and Bloomington Jefferson.
The latter of the bunch put up the best fight with Owatonna just skating by with a 3-2 win.
Bloomington Jefferson managed to hang tight with the Huskies until a big hit-and-run play was executed to perfection by senior Tanner Smith to set Owatonna up in scoring position.
Teammate Nolan Rolloff saw his opportunity at the plate and took full advantage by sending a shot into the outfield and legging out a two-run double to lead 3-1.
The Huskies’ defense was stellar down the stretch only allowing one more run late in a solid 3-2 road win.
Earlier in the week, Owatonna had no issues disposing of Faribault and Winona in two comfortable wins.
The Huskies used chain hitting and some aggressive baserunning to beat the Winhawks 12-1 via the mercy rule at Dartts Park.
“We’re having really good at bats putting pressure on pitchers by not chasing pitches outside of the strike zone. We’re hitting the ball really well and when we get on base, we’re looking to get comfortable in our leads and taking advantage of mistakes,” said Cummins.
Faribault didn’t fair much better in an 8-1 loss to the Huskies at Dartts Park.
Owatonna’s pitching has been on point over the course of the last six three games, allowing just four total runs while the team has outscored opponents 23-4.
The Huskies will hope to keep their hot start going when the team travels to Mankato East on Thursday, May 1 at 5 p.m.
Owatonna traveled to Rochester Mayo on Tuesday, but stats and results were not available at the time of press.
The Huskies also had a game against Red Wing scheduled for Monday, April 29 postponed due to severe weather in the area.
The game has since been rescheduled for May 19.