LITTLE RIVER — The Bearcats struggled to score runs and found it difficult to contain the Redskins defensively on the road April 28. The Cats had a difficult night as they were defeated in both games.

Junior Ben Hipp was on the mound for the Bearcats. Hipp allowed 1 run on one hit over the course of one inning. Freshman Brody Shearer and sophomore Aidan Johnson both entered the game. Shearer threw four innings and Johnson threw one.

Sophomore Dax Leiker, senior Cade Gwinner and junior Lane Rolfs each got 1 hit leading the team.

The Cats lost 8-1. During the second game, the Cats almost came all the way back, falling 7-6 to Little River.

Early in the game, the Bearcats had trouble matching Little River’s tempo. The Redskins’ scoring began in the first inning when a batter grounded out and scored 1 run.

The Cats’ sixth inning was excellent, as they scored 6 runs. This was achieved by Leiker, senior Gwinner, junior Layton Leiker and a ball put in play by junior Cole Webber.

“We have lost five games by a combined 7 runs,” Layton Leiker said. “We are very close to putting some things together and beating some very talented teams, we just can’t quite seem to get over the hump and finish some of these games. Hopefully we can figure out a way to close out some of these close games.”

Rolfs took the mound for the Cats. He pitched four innings and gave up 1 run on two hits. Additionally, he struck out five batters.

Webber and Shearer entered the game as relief. Webber threw three innings and Shearer threw one-third of an inning.

Seven hits were collected by the Cats during the game. Hipp and sophomore Gavin Moyer both had multiple hits. Hipp went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Bearcats in hits.

Ellsworth vs. Sylvan Unified

On April 25, the Bearcats defeated Sylvan Unified at home. The Bearcats outscored the Mustangs 7-1 after establishing a sizable lead.

The Cats fired up the offense in the first inning, when Hipp drew a walk and scored 1 run.

“(When batting) it helps if you drive up the pitch count of the opposing pitcher because it puts more pressure on them,” Hipp said. “(Having good bats) allows us to play loosely and enjoy the game of baseball.”

Rolfs was on the mound for the Cats. Over five innings, the lefthander gave up just 2 hits and no runs. He walked none and struck out nine hitters.

Rolfs hit one over the fence, tallying one home run for the night.

In the game, the Bearcats had a total of 10 hits. Rolfs, junior Layton Leiker and sophomore Dax Leiker each had multiple hits. Rolfs led the Cats in hits by going 3-for-4 at the plate.

The Bearcat secured the second win of the night with a score of 13-2.

Rolfs’ double in the first inning allowed the Cats to score their first run.

The game was sealed when the Cats scored 10 runs in the fourth inning. During the fourth inning, Rolfs, Daxton Leiker, Layton Leiker and sophomore Gavin Moyer all hit singles. Webber hit a triple and junior Wyatt Bohnen hit a double.

Hipp led things off on the hill for the Cats. The righty surrendered 2 runs on one hit over three innings, striking out five.

The Bearcats tallied 13 hits. Webber, Rolfs and Moyer each collected multiple hits. Webber went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead the Bearcats in hits.

The Cats’ next game is a double header May 8 at home against Republic County at 4 p.m. The team is 7-9 on the season.