by Mike Isola,
Staff Writer
Bluffton extended its winning streak with a pair of victories over the weekend by defeating Dent 4-3 in 11 innings on Friday evening before wrapping up the weekend with a 9-0 shutout over Bertha.
Local fans were treated to a thrilling contest against the Wildcats in Dent as Bluffton watched its early 2-0 lead evaporate in the eighth inning when Dent scored to take the 3-2 lead.
But the Braves battled back in the top of the frame in the ninth. Dustin Geiser scored the game-tying run on a single by Brent Weller.
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Weller came through again in the 11th inning to drive in the game-winner. Jake Seelhammer was hit by a pitch and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kurt Braukman. On a hit-and-go sign from manager Terry Geiser, Weller laid down a sharp grounder toward the second base gap and the Wildcat shortstop hesitated a bit too long before deciding to throw to first base. By then, Seelhammer rounded third and steamed toward home, scoring easily to put the Braves up 4-3.
Bluffton reliever Kyle Dykhoff sent the Wildcats down in order in the bottom of the inning, striking out the last batter, Jason Hofmann, to preserve the Braves victory. Dykhoff picked up the win on three innings work.
Dustin Geiser started on the mound for the Braves and lasted eight innings before being relieved by Dykhoff. He struck out six and allowed two earned runs on seven hits.
Defensively, catcher Wayne Dykhoff made the Wildcats think twice before attempting to steal second base. He threw out three Dent base stealers on four attempts.
The first-year Bertha baseball team couldn't match the intensity of the Braves on Sunday. Bluffton rapped out 12 hits and used a pair of four-run innings to douse the Blazers 9-0.
Braves starter Cody Geiser limited Bertha to just four hits in the complete game victory and struck out seven.
The Braves went ahead on Matt Sweere's lead-off double and Kyle Dykhoff's RBI single in the fourth inning. Bluffton added to its lead by scoring four runs in both the fifth and sixth innings.
Sweere finished the game with two hits along with Weller, but the team's leading batter was Dustin Geiser with three hits.
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Bluffton plays a tough Fergus Falls squad on Wednesday in New York Mills before heading out to Dent to participate in the All-Star festivities on Friday. The Braves' All-Star selections were not announced as of Monday night.
On Sunday, the Braves host Detroit Lakes at 1:30 p.m. and on July 3, they head to New York Mills for the annual Fourth of July game with the Millers. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. with fireworks after the game.
