Playoff Heartbreak for South Hamilton
The South Hamilton Hawks entered the Class 2A, Substate 2 first‑round matchup against the Ogden Bulldogs with a season record of just one win in nineteen attempts, while the Bulldogs carried a 12‑17 slate into the contest.
Early in the second inning, Oliver Hetland delivered a timely RBI single that put the Hawks ahead 1‑0, sparking a brief surge of optimism among the visiting fans.
Ogden answered in the third inning, plating two runs on a Keagan Ristvedt RBI single and a wild pitch that nudged the lead to 2‑1, a margin they would protect the rest of the game.
On the mound, Garrett Johnson turned in a solid outing, scattering four hits over six innings while allowing only two runs — both unearned — and striking out five batters.
South Hamilton’s offense added two more hits, with Liam Ealy joining Johnson in the two‑hit column, but the Hawks could not generate the extra run needed to force a tie.
The victory propels Ogden into the quarterfinals, where they will meet Interstate 35 on Tuesday at Norsemen Field in Story City, with first‑pitch scheduled for 5 p.m.
South Hamilton’s season ultimately closes at 1‑20, a stark reminder of the challenges faced by a young program seeking its first breakthrough.