Courtesy of Myron Fluegge

LAMBERTON — The Courtland Cubs began the Tomahawk East League season with a 14-6 win over the Lamberton Long Sox on a warm and blustery Sunday afternoon.

Courtland wasted no time in building a 7-0 lead in the first inning, thanks in part to five walks, a hit batter, and three hits.

The Cubs added two more runs in the fourth, one in the fifth and four more in the sixth inning. Meanwhile, Lamberton came back with three runs of their own in the first inning, adding one in the fourth and the final two runs in the fifth inning.

Whether it was the wind, or the first game of the season, pitchers from both teams had trouble finding the strike zone at times. Courtland used five pitchers: Jackson Bode (two innings), Josh Giefer (three), Teddy Giefer (one inning), Nolan Drill (two) and Ansen Dulas (one). Together they gave up three walks, hit seven batters and recorded eight strikeouts. Neil Eichten of Lamberton had three of the Long Sox’s seven hits.

Lamberton used three pitchers, who walked eight Cubs, hit four, and struck out eight. Courtland recorded 16 hits for the game, led by Jackson Bode with four, including two doubles and a triple. Maddox Mortensen and Nick Johnson each had three hits, while Drill and Chase Meyer had two apiece.

Although the season has just begun, the Courtland Cubs hope to make another run for the Class C state tournament. In 2024, Courtland advanced to the final eight on Labor Day weekend with wins over Richmond, Isanti and Red Wing, before losing to Buffalo.

Courtland plays at Gibbon on May 18 for a 1 p.m. game, at Hanska on May 23 at 7:30 p.m., and then have their home opener on Memorial Day, May 26, hosting Springfield at 3 p.m.