Blooming Prairie baseball downs Bethlehem Academy 7-5 Monday

The Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms baseball team was looking for its third win in its last four games Monday at home in a Gopher Conference matchup with Bethlehem Academy, and it was the Blossoms using a pair of three-run innings and strong pitching from Luke Larkoski and Drew Kittleson to down the Cardinals 7-5.

Blooming Prairie tallied seven hits as a team as they were led by Drew Kittleson, who was 2 for 3 with a pair of runs knocked in, a run scored and a stolen base, Alex Miller was 1 for 2 with a double, a run scored and a stolen base, Joe Pirkl was 1 for 4 with a double and a run scored, Charlie Heimerman was 1 for 3 with a run scored, Chris Naatz went 1 for 3 with a pair of RBI’s, Jacob Naatz was 1 for 2 with a double and a run scored and Cole Christianson was 1 for 3.

Luke Larkoski got the start on the mound and earned the win as he pitched six innings and gave up four runs, three earned on four hits, striking out four and and walking seven.  Drew Kittleson came on in the top of the 7th and earned the save as he gave up a run, walked two and struck out one.  The Blossoms jumped out to a 3-0 lead with three in the bottom of the first, only to see FBA rally back with three of their own in the top of the second and a single run in the fourth to take a 4-3 lead.  Blooming Prairie came back with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at four, and their three-run fifth inning proved to be the difference.

With the win, the Blossoms move to 2-4 in the Gopher Conference and 3-6 overall on the season.  Blooming Prairie is right back into action this (Tuesday) in Faribault against Bethlehem Academy, with first pitch scheduled for 5:00 p.m.