Hawks, Hand zap Lightning in baseball; Straka throws extra to beat Panthers

Brad Hand

Chaska senior Brad Hand contributed in many ways to the Hawk baseball team's 3-2 late-inning victory over Lake Conference leader Eastview on Thursday.

Hand smashed his fourth home run of the season in the fourth inning, while going the distance on the mound, allowing three hits and striking out 10.

The Lightning suffered only their second loss of the season, dropping to 11-2 overall, as the Hawks moved to 11-4 overall, and 10-4 in the Lake.

Hand and Eastview starter Cory Eul had a nice pitching duel going until the fourth inning, when the Lightning got on the board. Eul hit a two-out single and scored on a double by Zach Ryberg.

Hand immediately knotted the game, leading off the bottom of the fourth with a towering home run - his fourth of the season.Broc Schindler

Eastview got back on top in the sixth inning, stringing together a single, a sacrifice and a Hawk throwing error to score a run.

Hand quickly helped tie the game again, leading off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Adam Peterson flied out and John Straka struck out, but Kyle Gildea dinged a two-out single to keep the inning alive for the Hawks. Nate Murphy then hit an RBI single for Chaska’s second run.

The Hawks conducted another two-out rally to win the game in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Broc Schindler drew a two-out walk from Lightning reliever Nick Dolsky, and went to third on Hand’s third hit of the game. Peterson then singled in Schindler for the victory.

John Straka

It was the second walk-off hit for the Hawks in two days, as Chaska downed Lakeville North 2-1 in nine innings on Wednesday.

Straka, a senior signee with North Dakota State University, threw all nine frames for the Hawks, striking out nine to move to 3-2 on the season.

Chaska has an afternoon game Friday against Burnsville. Game time is 3:45 p.m. at Athletic Park. The Blaze are coming off a doubleheader sweep of Kennedy on Wednesday and a 2-1 loss to Rosemount on Thursday.

By Tim McGovern

Chaska Herald Sports Editor

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