Pine Island vs.

Rochester Lourdes

11 a.m., Saturday, May 15

Rochester Lourdes, the only team that’s still unbeaten in the Hiawatha Valley League standings entering the week, faces foe Pine Island on Saturday in a matchup that may determine the league champion.

Rochester Lourdes (8-0, 6-0) has been exceptional at producing runs its last five contests. The Eagles are averaging 11.4 runs per game during the stretch and are coming off a 13-3 Saturday blowout of Chatfield. 

Joe Sperry belted two home runs and recorded five RBIs in the No. 5-2A Eagles’ victory. Teammates Braden Mlenar, who had a trio of hits and three RBIs, and Gannon Fix, with three hits and two RBIs, were key contributors.

Pine Island (9-2, 7-1) started its season with a 2-2 record but has won seven consecutive games since. The Panthers have given up just two runs in each of their last three matchups, including a 5-2 defeat of Byron last Friday.

Kaleb Johnson threw four innings and had eight strikeouts in Pine Island’s triumph, allowing four hits and two unearned runs. Offensively, the team got two hits apiece from Riley Kuehl, Matt Horkey and Nick Bauer, who had a team-best three RBIs.