Hawk homer: Chaska's
Adam Peterson is congratulated at home plate after clouting a three-run
home run to help the Hawks to a 9-4 win Monday over Lakeville South.

By Tim McGovern

Villager Sports Editor

Chaska junior pitcher Griffin Kilber was doing just fine holding down Lakeville South in Monday’s Lake Conference game at Athletic Park.

But sometimes, a pitcher needs a Hand.

Hawk senior Brad Hand came on in relief of fellow lefty Kilber to get a key bases-loaded strikeout in the sixth inning. The Hawks tacked on three runs in the bottom of the frame to win it 9-4.

Chaska is now 9-4 overall on the season, and 8-4 for third place in the Lake.

The Hawks jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but the Cougars halved the lead in the second inning on a solo home run by Mick Wald.Griffin Kilber

Chaska added a run in the bottom of the second frame as Brady Aretz dinged a base hit to score teammate Brett Moldenhauer from second base. Moldenhauer drew a one-out walk and stole second base.

LVS tied the game in the third inning, as pitcher Joey Novak drilled a double down the right-field line to score teammates Theo Gergen and Chris Erikson. The Cougars then tied the game 3-3 on a groundout.

The bats were quiet until the fifth inning. Senior shortstop Cory Glieden led off the inning with a walk, but was picked off first base on a very close play. Hawk junior Broc Schindler then started a rally with a single, followed by a walk to senior John Straka.

All came trotting home as senior Adam Peterson clubbed a three-run home run over the left-field wall for his second round-tripper of the season.

The visitors scratched out a run in the sixth inning. Novak made good on a head-first slide into first base to beat out a ground ball. Wald hit a one-out single before Kilber struck out Mike McNamee. But shortstop Reed Bunnell hit an RBI single and Andrew Maher loaded the bases with a liner that
glanced off Kilber’s glove.

Enter Brad Hand. The Arizona State University signee got the Hawks off the hook with a curveball strikeout of outfielder Eric Watts.

The Hawks put the game out of reach with a three-run sixth inning. Zach Swenson hit a single to lead off, Hand followed with a walk and Nate Murphy was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Glieden then hit a sacrifice fly to knock in Casey Malmgren, who re-entered the game to run for Swenson. Schindler then plated Hand with another sacrifice fly. Straka then hit a grounder that
was mishandled to score Murphy.

Junior righty Garret Lanier finished the game for the Hawks with a scoreless seventh inning.

Kilber finished with six strikeouts and a walk while giving up three hits.

Chaska is scheduled to take on Burnsville at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday at Athletic Park. The Hawks are then set to square off at home against Lakeville North at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and host Lake leader Eastview at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

The Hawks wrap up the seven-game home string against Apple Valley on May 12, which is also Youth Team Night.