Baseball Game Preview: Becker Bulldogs vs. Monticello Magic

The Becker Bulldogs will venture away from home to challenge the Monticello Magic at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Becker is headed into the match having just posted their closest victory since May 17, 2024 on Thursday. They won by a run and slipped past North Branch 9-8.

Alex Schermer made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching four innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off five hits. Schermer was also big at the plate, scoring a run while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Gerad Hanle, who scored two runs and stole three bases while going 2-for-4. Hunter Pietrowski was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances.

Meanwhile, Monticello gave their fans exactly what they wanted out of a home opener on Thursday. They put the hurt on Cambridge-Isanti with a sharp 21-3 win. The victory continues a trend for the Magic in their matchups with the Bluejackets: they've now won eight in a row.

Like Becker, Monticello also got a great game from a two-way player: Adam Brenny. On the mound, he pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Brenny was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run while going 1-for-3.

In other batting news, Monticello got a massive performance out of Hunter Miller, who went 3-for-4 with five RBI, two runs, and one double. Another player making a difference was Brock Holthaus, who scored three runs while going 3-for-4.

Becker might still be hurting after the 11-1 defeat they got from Monticello in their previous meeting back in May of 2024. Can the Bulldogs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.