Burlington sweeps Humboldt

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Sports

April 14, 2017 - 12:00 AM

BURLINGTON — Humboldt — the third-ranked 3A baseball team in the state — challenged themselves on Thursday by going on the road for a non-conference doubleheader against Burlington, only to return with some valuable lessons.
The Wildcats swept the Cubs 6-0 and 16-8.
“Even when things weren’t going our way they continued to battle,” Humboldt coach Mike Miller said. “We will learn from games like tonight and be a better team for it.”
In game one, the Cubs were held to just three hits and despite starting pitcher Josh Vanatta trying to limit the Wildcats the best he could, they never really threatened the Wildcats.
In game two, it was a different story.
A three-run home run for freshman Conor Haviland in the first inning got the Cubs a 4-0 advantage. The bomb was Haviland’s second of the week.
They added to it in the fourth with an RBI from senior Rayce Hoepker and a two-run double by sophomore Dagen Goodner, but then the bottom of the fourth struck.
Hoepker had a no-hitter through three innings and quickly retired the first two batters of the fourth, before a walk was followed by an error, hit by pitch, double and walk to force Hoepker from the game.
Cub coach Mike Miller turned to freshman Gunner Elder. Elder allowed two straight walks, a single and hit two batters before Goodner came in to get a ground out and end the inning. But the damage was done and Burlington led 8-7.
The Wildcats piled on three more runs in the fifth and five in the sixth to cruise to the 16-8 win.

SOFTBALL
The Cubs were also swept in softball action in Burlington.
Humboldt lost a close one 7-6 in the opener, before falling 11-7 in the nightcap.

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