Worthington Cubs open season with win over Heron Lake

The Worthington Cubs' amateur baseball team picked up their first win of the year Sunday afternoon in their season opener, as the Cubs defeated the host Heron Lake Lakers 4-1.

Justin Saufley contributed a double and single for Worthington, which had a total of nine hits in the game. Jake Brandner added a pair of hits for the Cubs. Chipping in a double apiece for Worthington were Will Brandner and Triston Sauerbrei.

Saufley started the contest on the mound for the Cubs and pitched the first three innings, surrendering two hits while striking out six Heron Lake batters. Logan Huisman, Max Ostrem and McKinley Bush each tossed one scoreless inning of relief, and Jake Brandner gave up an unearned run the seventh while striking out four batters — with one reaching after striking out on a throwing error by the catcher. The Lakers had just three hits as a team on the day.

The Cubs play again at 7:30 p.m. Friday night in Milroy against the Yankees. They'll also play at Windom on Sunday before hosting their opener on May 17 against Lakefield. Game time for that matchup at the Worthington Middle School field will be 2 p.m. After that, the next outing for the Cubs — and their next home game as well — will be at 2 p.m. May 24 against the Hadley Buttermakers.