VOLGA — The Sioux Valley Cossacks picked up a sweep to open the season as they defeated Elkton and Hamlin Area in a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon.
The Cossacks got on the board early when two runs scored on Braden Danzeisen’s groundout in the bottom of the first inning and Ethan Axtell and Hauck each scored on errors to give Sioux Valley a 4-0 lead after two innings.
Elkton got things going when Jack Stein later scored on a fielder’s choice but Christopher Moberg was able to strike out Eric Warren to end the threat.
Jack Opitz reached on an error with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning and Danzeisen reached on a two-out single to put runners on the corner before Moberg drove runners in with an RBI single to put the Cossacks up 6-1.
The Blue Sox cut into the lead when Eliot Erickson led off the top of the sixth with a double and Colt Beck drove him in with an RBI single but it was too late to mount a rally and the Cossacks went on to win their season opener.
Moberg earned the win for the Cossacks allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out six batters and walking one over 4.1 innings.
Tate Steffensen, and B Teske each had a hit for the Cossacks while Danziesen, Axtell and Hauck all had stolen bases in the win.
Schuurman took the loss for Elkton, allowing three runs (one earned) on no hits and a walk with three strikeouts. L Anderson finished the game, allowing two earned runs on four hits and a walk with a strikeout over two innings.
Stein finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored for the Blue Sox.
Axtell was the catalyst for the Cossacks in the nightcap, collecting three hits to lead the Sioux Valley to a 14-2 win over Hamlin Area in five innings.
Andrew Gunderson earned the win for Sioux Valley, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out four batters.
