Will Van Epps, junior pitcher for the Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights, struck out 13 of 18 batters faced tonight during a one-hit 13-0 five inning shutout of the Hayfield Vikings in Hayfield.

Sometimes timing is everything when it comes to good fortune in life.  The Knights started the game at the plate when the wind was blowing out.

After Colton Steberg started the game with a 7-pitch walk, Jaedin Johnson hit a home run to left center field, and Kenyon-Wanamingo never looked back.

In fact, they would have 15 batters come to the plate in the opening inning, connect for seven hits and score 10 runs.

Van Epps hit a pop up that landed between the pitcher and third baseman due to the wind following the homer.  Connor Kennedy hit a single.  Cal Luebke's grounder ended in an error.

Alex Lee hit a deep fly to right field for a sacrifice fly RBI.  Following a strikeout to get the second out, Owen Craig was walked.  #9 batter Reed Sommer smacked a RBI single.  There was a throw to home plate with the catcher trying to get Sommer advancing to second base on the throw which allowed a runner from third base to score another run.

Steberrg clobbered a double off the fence.  It appeared he thought it would be over the fence and frankly so did I so he had to kick in the burners to get safely into second base.

Johnson walked, Van Epps stroked an RBI single.  A strike out passed ball extended the inning so Cal Luebke could achieve an RBI single before starting Vikings pitcher Ethan Pack could get his third strikeout of the inning.

Van Epps admitted after the game having a 10-0 lead early was a great luxury, but you still have to execute the pitches.

#3 batter in the Hayfield lineup Aidan Nelson hit the ball up the middle for a two out single in the bottom of the first for what would be their only hit of the game.

K-W catcher Noah Wallaker led the second inning off with a single.  Craig executed a bunt to advance Wallaker.  #9 hitter Sommer connected with the ball resulting in an error that scored Wallaker before Steberg hit into a 6-3-5 double play to end the inning.

The Knights added two more runs in the top of third inning which started with Johnson being the 4th walk of the game for Pack.  Van Epps hit a ball that kept carrying toward the deepest part of the park ending in an RBI double.

Wayne Torgerson was the courtesy runner for the Kenyon-Wanamingo pitcher.  He would score on a ground out to make it 13-0 Knights going into the bottom of the third inning.

Pack, lead-off batter in the Vikings order, was hit by a pitch in the third inning with one out.  He would be the last base runner for the home team.

The Knights added two runs in the top of the fifth inning to give Van Epps even more cushion.

With one out Johnson and Van Epps achieved back-to-back walks.  Connor Kennedy executed a bunt that scored Johnson.  Luebke clobbered an RBI double.

Van Epps struck out the final 8 batters he faced finishing the game with 78 total pitches, 50 for strikes.  13 strikeouts, 1 walk, 1 hit batsman.

Pack was lifted in the 5th inning due to hitting the pitch limit.  He finished with 6 strikeouts, 6 walks, 9 hits allowed.  Cole Selk finished the game on the mound for Hayfield.

Van Epps was our Cash Wise Foods and Pharmacy of Owatonna Delivery of the Game recipient along with Johnson and Luebke for Kenyon-Wanamingo.

Aidan Johnson, the lone Hayfield player with a hit was their choice for Cash Wise Foods and Pharmacy of Owatonna Delivery of the Game.

The Vikings are now 6-2 and host Randolph Thursday.  Kenyon-Wanamingo is 6-3 and has Medford compete with them in Wanamingo Thursday.

In other high school baseball Tuesday:

  • Albert Lea swept a doubleheader from Faribault by scores of 5-0 and 10-2
  • Northfield swept John Marshall 9-3 and 21-14
  • Mankato West 15   Rochester Century   5
  • Mankato East 7   Austin     4
  • Randolph   9    Medford   2
  • Rochester Mayo    9    Owatonna    8
  • Rochester Mayo   8    Owatonna    2
  • Red Wing    13    Winona    1
  • Red Wing    11    Winona    2
  • Prior Lake   7   Burnsville    0
  • Lakeville North    8     Eagan    2
  • J-W-P    8   Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger    1
  • Lyle/Pacelli   2   Houston    0
  • Spring Grove   7    Mabel-Canton    6
  • Caledonia    3    Winona Cotter    0
  • Eastview    12   Lakeville South   2
  • Chatfield    10   Lewiston-Altura    0
  • Belle Plaine   6   LeSueur-Henderson   1
  • Maple River   12   Triton    7
  • Tri-City United   10   Lester Prairie    1
  • Fillmore Central/Lanesboro   4    Plainview-Elgin-Millville   1
  • Dover-Eyota   6    Rochester Lourdes   3
  • Rushford-Peterson    5   St. Charles    2
  • LaCrescent    11    Wabasha-Kellogg   2
  • Waseca    8   New Ulm    7
  • Jordan    3   Delano    2

Here are high school fastpitch softball scores from Tuesday:

  • Faribault    13   Albert Lea   3     (6 innings)
  • Owatonna   1    Rochester Mayo    0
  • Owatonna   8    Rochester Mayo    6
  • Belle Plaine   10   Norwood-Young America    0
  • Belle Plaine    19    N-Y-A    0
  • LeSueur-Henderson   17    Sibley East    0
  • LeSueur-Henderson   16    Sibley East    1
  • Winona   15     Red Wing    0
  • Winona   27     Red Wing    1
  • Kenyon-Wanamingo   6    Hayfield    5
  • Blooming Prairie   19    GMLOK   6
  • Lakeville South   13   Apple Valley    3
  • Burnsville    11   Hastings     3
  • Pine Island   18   Concordia Academy   13
  • Delano    9    Jordan    7
  • Mankato West    12    Hopkins   9
  • J-W-P    16    G-E/A-C    3
  • New Prague    10   Chanhassen    4
  • St. Charles    11   Rushford-Peterson    1
  • W-E-M    10   Tri-City United   9
  • Randolph   10   Nicollet    0
  • Medford    2   United South Central    1
  • Mankato East   14   Austin    0
  • P-E-M   21    Fillmore Central/Lanesboro   2
  • LaCrescent   8    Wabasha-Kellogg   2
  • Kasson-Mantorville   10   Lake City    0
  • Chatfield   6   Lewiston-Altura    4
  • Northfield   12   John Marshall   2
  • Rochester Century   8   Stewartville    1
  • Cotter    8   Caledonia    3
  • Waseca   5   Maple River   4
  • Cannon Falls   5   Zumbrota-Mazeppa   4

ROAD TRIP! 60 SMALL TOWN RESTAURANTS YOU HAVE TO VISIT IN SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA

Our listeners chimed in with their favorite small-town restaurants and even told us what to order when we visit. Below you'll see 60 great restaurants that you should try as you travel around southeast Minnesota.

Notice something that needs to be updated? Email me.

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