It was unofficially senior night Tuesday, April 27, when the Ellsworth High School baseball team played its last regular season home games against Lincoln/Sylan-Lucas.

Senior pitchers Braden Schulte and Jaxson Stefek both posted wins in the double header, which ended with scores of 8-2 and 7-3, both in favor of the Bearcats.

In addition, senior Teagan Nienke hit 4 for 5 at the plate.

“That’s another great accomplishment,” said coach Jason McWilliams. “We have a great group of seniors.”

Ellsworth jumped out to an early lead over Lincoln/Sylvan-Lucas in the first game of the night. The ‘Cats scored on a sacrifice fly by Dayton Davis in the first inning and a single by Cade Gwinner in the second, when Ellsworth pulled away from their opponents for good.

Righthander Schulte pitched six innings for the ‘Cats, allowing two runs on seven hits, striking out nine and walking one. Lane Rolfs threw one inning in relief.

The Bearcats collected 10 hits, including three each from Nienke and Gwinner.

In the second game of the night, Jaxson Stefek surrendered three runs on fie hits over six innings from the mound. He struck out nine.

Lane Rolfs, who threw one inning as a relief pitcher, had two hits, including a double in the first inning to bring in a run.

Dayton Davis also managed two hits for the ‘Cats.

In a Thursday, April 29, game against Russell, the ‘Cats fell to Russell/Victoria, 5-3.

Collecting a run each for Ellsworth were Jaxson Stefek, Dayton Davis, Braden Schulte, Lane Rolfs and Cade Gwinner.

Cole Webber took the loss for Ellsworth, allowing five hits and four runs over two innings, striking out two and walking one.

Republic County defeats Lady ‘Cats

Elizabeth Hipp delivered the day’s only home run for the Lady Bearcats during a double header softball game Friday, April 30, against Republic County.

It wasn’t enough to bring home a victory. The first game saw Ellsworth fall 8 to 12. The second game was closer, ending in a close 5-4 win for Republic County; however, the victory came on 2 hits for Republic County, compared to 11 for the Lady ‘Cats.

In the first game, Callie Sheridan, Elizabeth Hipp, Nicole Haase and Peyton Coonrod each had two hits for Ellsworth.

In the second game, Republic County pulled away for good with five hits in the fourth inning, which also included an error that allowed Republic County to score a run.