Bennington Badgers Baseball Rolls Through Recent Schedule, Heads Into Districts with Momentum

3–5 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

Two young baseball players celebrating a play on the field, one in a white uniform with the number 12 and the other wearing the number 1, with trees and a baseball field in the background.
Connor Smith (left) and Dominic Driggs (right) celebrate Smith’s home run.

The Bennington Badgers continued their strong play with four wins in five days, showcasing offensive firepower and building confidence as they prepare for the district tournament.

Dominant Win Over Norris (April 30)

Bennington opened the stretch with a convincing 14-2 home conference victory over Norris at Lynn Pruess Field. The Badgers jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and exploded for 10 runs in the third, putting the game out of reach.

Offensively, Bennington racked up 10 hits and 14 runs. Key contributors included Connor Smith (2-for-3, 2 runs, 4 RBI, 1 home run), Kellen Minarik (2-for-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Charlie Swoboda (2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 1 double), and Baylor Uhing (2-for-3, 1 run, 2 RBI). Smith’s home run was his first at the home field.

A baseball player in a white uniform swings a bat at a pitch, while a catcher in a black uniform crouches behind home plate. Spectators in the background watch the game.
Connor Smith hits a home run.

Following the game, coach Collin McClain reflected on the matchup, noting it was the second win against Norris this season. “They’re a conference opponent, so anytime we play them, it’s going to be tight. We expect it to be tight. Tonight was just one of those games,” he said. “We got the bats going early, and then once that happens, you just kind of continue momentum and you find a way to break it open.”

He anticipated a much closer contest in their upcoming district rematch, scheduled for Friday, May 8 at Skutt: “I think it’ll be a tight game. They have an arm that we know is going to be pretty solid… we know that they’re going to show up with a different energy than they did tonight.”

McClain emphasized the importance of the final stretch. “Our postseason starts right now, and we have to get locked in and know that every game from here on out matters,” he said, noting how points will continue to stack up. He praised the timely hitting but stressed the need to clean up defense. “We still make some mistakes and we know that when we play teams at their best, that’s going to give them opportunities to stay in the game.” 

On facing a familiar opponent in districts, McClain noted the comfort factor but remained cautious. “It’s hard to beat a good team three times. So we know that we’re just going to have to stay focused,” he added.

A baseball player in a white uniform swings a bat at a pitch, with a catcher in a black helmet and chest protector ready to catch. Fans are visible in the background.
Kellen Mlnarik
A baseball player in a white uniform swings at a pitch while a catcher crouches behind home plate. A group of spectators can be seen in the background.
Charles Swoboda
A baseball player in a white uniform with blue accents is running towards home plate, celebrating a run. The field is green with a yellow outfield fence in the background.
Colby Dean
A group of four baseball players in white uniforms celebrate at home plate. They are exchanging helmets and discussing plays, with a cheering crowd visible in the background.
A baseball player in a white uniform swings a pink bat at a pitch, while a catcher in a black and red uniform crouches behind home plate. Spectators can be seen in the background.
Baylor Uhing
A young baseball pitcher in a white and blue uniform throws a pitch on a baseball field during sunset.
Brandt Schmidt
A baseball player prepares to bat while a catcher in blue gear crouches behind home plate. An umpire stands nearby, observing the play.
Noah Langford
A baseball player in a white uniform prepares to catch a ball in an outdoor field during a game, with a batting area and fence visible in the background.
Brendon Da Luz
A baseball player in a white uniform reaches for the ball while attempting to tag a runner on a dirt infield during a game.
Charles Swoboda
A baseball player in a white uniform swings a bat to hit a ball while a catcher crouches behind home plate, with spectators visible in the background.
Brett Langan
A baseball player in a white uniform swings a bat at a flying ball during a game, with spectators in the background.
Carson Kortan
A baseball player slides into home plate, kicking up dust as a catcher prepares to tag him out.
Braydan Kloster
A baseball player in a blue and white uniform is throwing a baseball while standing on the infield, with another player in the background.
Carson Kortan
A young baseball pitcher in a white uniform and blue cap is delivering a pitch from the mound during a game, with trees in the background and a teammate visible in the outfield.
Dominic Driggs

Shutout Victory vs. Beatrice (May 1)

The Badgers traveled and defeated Beatrice 10-1 in a non-conference game. Bennington tallied 12 hits while limiting the hosts to just three.

Standouts included Gabe Nickel (2-for-2, 2 RBI, 1 double), Charlie Swoboda (2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 double), Baylor Uhing (1-for-1, 2 runs, 1 RBI), and Braydan Kloster (1-for-3, 2 runs). The offense built a commanding lead with three runs in the second and five in the third.

Mercy-Rule Win Over Burke (May 2)

Back at home, Bennington cruised to a 10-0 non-conference victory over Burke in six innings. The Badgers collected 13 hits in the shutout.

Gabe Nickel went 3-for-4 with 1 run and 2 RBI (including a double). Charlie Swoboda was 3-for-3 with 1 run and 3 RBI. Connor Smith added 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 1 RBI. Other contributors included Brendon Da Luz, Myles Gifford, and Kellen Minarik. Bennington pulled away with three runs in the third, four in the fifth, and three more in the sixth.

A young baseball player in a white uniform swings a bat to hit a baseball during a game, with teammates watching from the dugout in the background.
Gabe Nickel

Hard-Fought Win vs. Roncalli Catholic (May 4)

In their most competitive outing of the week, Bennington held off Roncalli Catholic for an 8-5 home victory. The Badgers led 4-1 before a late Roncalli rally, but responded with four runs in the sixth to secure the win. Bennington recorded 9 hits.

Myles Gifford had a strong game (2-for-2, 1 run, 1 RBI, 2 doubles). Braydan Kloster went 2-for-2 with 3 runs and 2 RBI (including 2 doubles). Noah Langford added 2-for-3, and Kellen Minarik contributed 1-for-3 with 1 run and 1 RBI.

A baseball player sliding into home plate while another player prepares to catch the ball at the base.
Braydan Kloster
A baseball player in a white uniform swings a bat to hit a ball while a catcher in black gear is crouched behind home plate. In the background, a group of players in dark uniforms watches from the dugout.
Myles Gifford

With these victories, Bennington has built significant momentum heading into districts. Coach McClain’s message to the team about getting “locked in” and getting “hot at the right time” appears to be resonating as the Badgers aim to carry their offensive approach and defensive improvements into the postseason. “Hopefully we just keep it rolling here and get hot at the right time. I mean, that’s what it’s all about,” he said

The Badgers will look to build on their recent success, including strong performances from consistent hitters like Nickel, Swoboda, Smith, and Gifford, as they chase a deep playoff run.

A baseball player swings at a pitch during a game, with a catcher ready to receive the ball and teammates watching from the dugout.
Brendon Da Luz
A young baseball player swinging a bat at a pitch during a game, with teammates in the background watching from the dugout.
Kellen Mlnarik
A baseball player in a white uniform with blue accents talks to a coach wearing a blue jacket, both engaged in a focused discussion on a baseball field.
Brendon Da Luz
A baseball player in a white uniform swings a bat to hit a ball, with a catcher in black gear crouched behind home plate and a team of players observing from the dugout in the background.
Noah Langford
A baseball player in a white uniform swings a bat at a flying baseball, while a catcher in black gear crouches behind home plate. A group of players in red hats watches from the dugout in the background.
Charles Swoboda
A young baseball player at bat swings the bat, making contact with the ball. In the background, teammates in uniforms observe from the dugout.
Connor Smith
A baseball player in a white uniform is throwing the ball while another player in a dark uniform is running past him on the base path.
Brendon Da Luz
A baseball game scene showing a catcher in blue gear squatting behind home plate, an umpire in black behind him, and a batter in a black jersey swinging at a ball, with dust in the air from the impact.
Noah Langford
A baseball player swings at a pitch during a game, with teammates watching from the dugout in the background.
Braydan Kloster
A young baseball player swings a bat to hit a ball while a catcher in a black uniform crouches behind home plate. Behind them, several team members watch from the dugout.
Baylor Uhing
A baseball player in a blue helmet and white uniform sprints down the base path during a game, with a fielder in black shorts standing in the background.
Myles Gifford
A baseball player in a white uniform throws a ball from the infield toward a scoreboard, displaying the game scores and statistics, at a baseball field.
Charles Swoboda
A young baseball player in a white and blue uniform throwing a baseball from the outfield on a grassy field.
Gabe Nickel
A young baseball pitcher in a blue and white uniform is in the process of throwing a baseball on a field. Another player stands in the background.
Brody Lichty

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