The winner of this year’s West Central Conference title very well could be determined by the result of this doubleheader on Tuesday.
BOLD (13-5, 9-2) had its four-game winning streak snapped in a 6-5 nonconference loss to New Ulm Cathedral last Friday. The No. 9-1A Warriors took a 5-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, setting up a sequence in which starting pitcher Aidan Elfering got pulled and things deteriorated further with four runs scoring that inning, followed by another two in the bottom of the seventh. Owen Flann was the only player from BOLD to record two hits in the blemish.
The Warriors, however, swing some heavy bats and look to rebound, led by Tim Peppel and Elfering, who have each hit the 15-RBI threshold this season.
Benson (11-5, 7-3) has also been down recently, losing three straight games. Two of the defeats came against conference foes. Benson lost a 6-2 decision on May 18 to Melrose, which is competing with the Braves for second place in the conference standings, and the team took a 4-3 loss to Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta two days later.
Patrick Minchow had three hits, including a double, for Benson in the May 20 defeat. Teammate Sam Grussing added a hit and two RBIs in that contest.
-- Second game to follow.