BANCROFT - A fast start and strong finish led to the North Sentral Kossuth Eagles winning their 18th straight game Thursday night.
The Class 1A, No. 8-ranked Eagles used three hits from Blake Pedersen and 11 strikeouts from Griffin Hatten to score a 12-3 nonconference baseball win over the Algona Bulldogs in Bancroft.
The Eagles scored four runs in the first inning, before the Bulldogs eventually cut their deficit to 6-3, but the Eagles added six more in the sixth for the 12-3 final.
"We were aggressive early - we got some big hits early - then it felt like the guys got relaxed when we got that lead. ... When (Algona) made a game of it, we turned it on again," said Eagle co-head coach Mike Elsbecker.
Jake Larson, who batted 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored, led the way in the first frame with a two-run double to left. Blake Pedersen and Nick Larson scored on the play as they reached after a single and a hit-by-pitch, respectively. Jake Larson later scored on a Brett Beadle sacrifice fly, before Hatten's two-out triple to center scored Brock Beadle, who reached on a walk.
Brock Beadle did the damage in the sixth inning, clearing the loaded bases with one swing of the bat, tripling to centerfield and scoring Chris Rock, Pedersen and Nick Larson who reached on walks and an error, respectively.
Brock Beadle scored on Jake Larson's single to center, before Hatten joined him on base via a walk. Both runners then trotted across on Jordan Ricke's two-out double to right.
In the third inning, Brock Beadle singled and later scored on Brett Beadle's sacrifice fly, before Chris Rock walked in the fourth and scored on Pedersen's triple to center.
Pedersen batted 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while Brock Beadle went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
Defensively, Hatten pocketed the win, allowing three runs on five hits with 11 strikeouts, two walks and two hit batters in seven innings.
Ben Tull took the loss for Algona (10-12, 8-6), giving up five runs on five hits with one walk, one strikeout and three hit batters in 2-plus frames.
Blair Bradley led the Bulldogs with two hits and an RBI, while Michael McMahon came up with a pinch-hit, two-run triple in the sixth.
North Sentral Kossuth (23-5, 8-0) hosts Clay Central-Everly today in Bancroft, before playing host to Class A, No. 5-ranked Kee, Lansing at 1 p.m. Saturday in Bancroft.
Algona 000 012 0 - 3 5 2
NSK 401 106 x - 12 9 1
Ben Tull (LP), Grant Person (3), Chad Benson (6) and Ian Barber. Griffin Hatten (WP) and Chris Rock.
LOB-Algona 4, NSK 7. 2B-Jake Larson (NSK), Jordan Ricke (NSK). 3B-Griffin Hatten (NSK), Blake Pedersen (NSK), Michael McMahon (A), Brock Beadle (NSK). SF-Brett Beadle (NSK) 2.
North Sentral Kossuth 11, Woden-Crystal Lake-Titonka 1 - Brett Beadle pitched a two-hitter over five innings to lead the Class 1A, No. 8-ranked Eagles to an 11-1 win over the Tigers on Wednesday in Lone Rock, Iowa.
Beadle allowed one unearned run, struck out four and walked seven.
Skyler Mino struck out one in one relief frame.
Chris Rock, Blake Pedersen, Nick Larson, Brock Beadle and Jordan Ricke each came up with two hits.
One of Ricke's hits was a double, while Nick Larson and Travis Larson added triples and two RBIs.
Rock, Pedersen and Nick Larson each scored twice.
WCLT 010 000 - 1 2 5
NSK 040 511 - 11 11 2
