The BOLD Mudhens hoped to improve on their previous four Division 2 State tourney appearances as they traveled to Ely for the August 1-4 event. The results, while not exactly what we had in mind, were positive nonetheless. Due to scheduling coincidences, the Mudhens managed to play in the first game of each of the three days. Morning games can be problematic since they tend to knock players and coaches out of their normal game prep routines. But the guys responded well, especially after being no-hit 2-0 in the tournaments opening game. Justin Dykhoff threw the no-no and BOLD surrendered one unearned run. Luke Ryan just missed a home run when a high fly ball sailed over the fence but just foul. That and a diving catch by the Wadena shortstop off a blooper hit by John Burman were as close as BOLD came to recording a hit. Jordan Sagedahl took a tough loss on the mound surrendering just four hits in six innings of work.

Game two saturday morning pitted BOLD against Breckenridge. The game remained scoreless until the top of the 5th inning when BOLD finally reached the scoreboard with three runs. Two more were added in the 6th inning and the final score was 5-1. Matt Moorse picked up the win while Jack Peppel pitched a 1-2-3 7th.

The consolation final matched BOLD against Luverne. It proved to be a battle to see which team had the most pitching left. Both starters struggled but BOLD battled their way to a 5-4 lead after just two innings of play. Ryan led off the bottom of the 1st with a home run and Sagedahl had two RBI's in the second inning. Peppel started on the mound and went three innings and left with the 5-4 lead intact.  James Woelfel was solid in relief and threw the final four innings for the win.

This was the 5th trip to state for the Mudhens. Previously they appeared in 2010 in Dilworth (0-2), 2013 in Bird Island (1-2), 2015 in Morris (1-1 eliminated on run differential), and 2017 in Spicer (1-1 eliminated on run differential). So this is the first time the team has brought home hardware. Congratulations to the players and a big thanks to our parents and sponsors - Olivia Legion Post 186, Bird Island Post 430, Olivia Sons of Legion Post 186. We also received financial support from the Olivia Legion Auxillary and the Olivia Kiwanis Club.