Madison Baseball Punches Ticket to State Tournament

The Madison Bulldogs baseball team punched their ticket to states earlier this week with wins over Warner-Ipswich-Northwestern and Howard in the Region Playoffs. 

In their first game on Wednesday, the Bulldogs opened up the game with a run in the bottom of the first before adding eight more in the second inning to take a 9-0 lead after two innings. 

Warner-Ipswich-Northwestern attempted to begin their comeback in the top of third inning, scoring four runs in the inning. However, Madison scored in the next three innings to get the 14-4 win in five innings. 

Braxton Bjorklund, Mason Kennington, and Jordan Pedersen each had three hits for the Bulldogs. Bjorklund added four RBIs and two runs, Kennington with three RBIs and a run, and Pedersen had two RBIs and a run.

Quincy Kurtz added two hits, two RBIs, and a run for the Bulldogs. 

Ben Brooks secured the win on the mound for Madison, pitching five innings and striking out nine while allowing four hits and four runs. 

The Bulldogs had 15 total hits compared to four for Warner-Ipswich-Northwestern. Both teams had four errors as well. 

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In Round Two on Wednesday, the Bulldogs again used an eight run second inning to gain the early advantage, this time against the Howard Tigers. 

After a scoreless first inning, Tregg McGillivray got things started for the Bulldogs on a 2 RBI Single in the top of the second. The Bulldogs added six more runs in the inning, followed by two more in third. 

Up 10-0 after four innings, the Bulldogs gave up one run in both the fifth and sixth innings against the Tigers. Though that was all the Tigers could put on the scoreboard, as the Bulldogs advanced to state with a 10-2 win.

McGillivray, Kennington, Pedersen, Kurtz, Eli Barger, Hayden Kane, and Carson Wolf each had a hit for Madison. Kennington added three RBIs and a run. McGillivray and Kane both had two RBIs. 

Lucas Mork earned the victory for the Bulldogs, going seven innings and allowing seven hits and two runs. Mork also struck out 12 batters.

Both teams had seven hits and Howard had one error. 

After booking their trip to states, Madison will open the tournament against Dell Rapids, the two time defending champions. Game is scheduled for Monday, May 29th with first pitch at 7pm.