Knights Defeat Hornets in Eastern Minny League Bout

The Knights hosted Ham Lake on Wednesday night.

For Hinckley this was the 2nd game in a 24 hour span, something they normally don't do. There was certainly some fatigue coming into the game. Confidence was still high though as they welcomed in a team who had yet to win a game.

The Hornets put 2 runs on the board in the 1st inning and went to play defense with a chunk of confidence now on their side. It did not take long for the Knights to answer and exceed those two runs, with help from Cory Schmidt and Brady Johnson each notching 2 RBI's in route to them scoring 5 runs in the first. The Hornets managed to get back one run before Hinckley's offense had their turn. And they would score 4 runs in each of the next two innings. They had plenty of players who contributed to the 8 runs they scored and helped them take a 13-3 lead heading into the 4th. Their defense got into the rhythm and made all the stops and grabs needed, their starting pitcher Cody Gustafson was also throwing well. They would score one more run in the 4th inning on another RBI from Schmidt, before giving up a run in the 5th, but they still held a 14-4 lead.

With a new pitching coming into the game in the 6th, Ham Lake jumped on him early and were able to score two runs and and erase the 10 run rule for the moment. Still leading 14-6 the Knights needed just two runs to end the game in the bottom of the 7th. They scored one of the two runs needed but could not cross the 2nd and the game would continue. Both teams would add another run in the 8th inning before Hinckley struck out three in the 9th to seal the victory 16-7.

The Knights now move to 7-6 on the season and 5-1 in league play and are currently in 1st place in the North Division. They will host their long running Hinckley Invitational this weekend. They'll open up play on Friday night against the Sauk Rapids Cyclones.

Pitching

Hinckley: Cody Gustafson 5 innings, 7 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, 5 K's

Bryce Erickson 4 innings, 3 hits, 3 runs, 6 walks, 6 K's

Player of the Game: Cory Schmidt 4-5, 5 RBI's 2 Doubles