Sophomore Peter Fletcher worked two innings of relief during Blue Earth Area’s first baseball game of the season against the Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Knights on Friday, March 28.

The Blue Earth Area baseball team ended up on the wrong end of the score when the Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Knights came to Veteran’s Field in Blue Earth on March 28 and defeated the Bucs 12-4.

BEA struggled at the plate during their first four times at-bat and were in danger of losing the game in five innings due to the 10-run rule.

Trailing 11-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Maroon and Gold plated four runs to keep the contest going.

Will Weerts led off the bottom of the fifth with a single to break up LCWM’s no-hitter. Peter Fletcher hit a ground out to the first baseman which allowed Weerts to advance to second base.

Following a strikeout, the Knights were within one out of going home with an 11-0 victory. However, Dakota Mitchell singled to the shortstop and an error allowed Weerts to score and break up LCWM’s shutout.

A double by Carter Rosenau put runners on second and third base with Peyton O’Hara coming to the plate.

O’Hara hit a double to center field to plate both runners and give the Bucs a total of three runs. Following a walk to Logan Rademaker, John Nelson connected for a two-bagger to score BEA’s fourth, and final, run of the inning.

The Knights added one more run in the seventh inning to make the final score 12-4.

LCWM scored two runs in the top of the first inning on two walks, two hit batsman and a single. They added three more runs in each of the second, third and fifth innings.

The final line showed the Knights with 12 runs on eight hits. They committed two errors.

BEA scored four runs on seven hits. They were also charged with two errors.

Hayden Vereide took the loss after pitching three innings and allowing eight runs (seven earned) on six hits. He walked two batters and struck out five.

Peter Fletcher worked two innings for BEA and gave up three earned runs on two hits while walking three batters and striking out five.

Drew Thomas hurled the final two innings. He yielded one earned run and did not give up a hit. He had two walks and three strikeouts.

Rosenau and Weerts each had two hits for the Bucs while O’Hara led the team with two runs batted in.