Denfeld Baseball Holds Off Hermantown Comeback

Hunters lead 14-0 before Hermantown scores 10 unanswered runs in narrow victory.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:51am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes representing players, bats, and a baseball field, conveying the intense action and momentum shifts of the game between the two high school teams.A fractured, cubist depiction of the dramatic back-and-forth between Denfeld and Hermantown baseball teams.Duluth Today

The Duluth Denfeld baseball team jumped out to a commanding 14-0 lead over Hermantown through 3.5 innings, but had to hold off a huge comeback attempt by the Hawks to secure their first win of the season. Denfeld's offense exploded early, but Hermantown scored six runs in the 5th and four more in the 7th before Denfeld was able to strand the tying run on base and escape with the victory.

Why it matters

This game highlights the resilience and never-say-die attitude of the Hermantown baseball team, who refused to give up despite falling behind big early. It also showcases the offensive firepower of the Denfeld Hunters, who were able to build a huge lead but then had to hold on for dear life as Hermantown mounted a furious rally.

The details

Denfeld scored seven runs in the 1st inning and led 14-0 after 3.5 innings, but Hermantown chipped away with a six-run 5th and four more in the 7th before Denfeld was able to strand the tying run on base to preserve the victory. Vinny Udd, Brett Lapcinski and Cole Harshman each had three hits for Denfeld, while Ethan McCubbin went 4-for-5 with an RBI triple for Hermantown.

  • Denfeld scored seven runs in the 1st inning.
  • Denfeld led 14-0 after 3.5 innings.
  • Hermantown scored six runs in the 5th inning.
  • Hermantown scored four runs in the 7th inning.
  • Denfeld was able to strand the tying run on base to end the game.

The players

Vinny Udd

A Denfeld player who had three hits in the game.

Brett Lapcinski

A Denfeld player who had three hits in the game.

Cole Harshman

A Denfeld player who had three hits in the game.

Ethan McCubbin

A Hermantown player who went 4-for-5 with an RBI triple.

Trevor Engstrom

The Denfeld second baseman who recorded the game-ending lineout.

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What they’re saying

“We must have gotten a little complacent with the big lead, but credit to Hermantown for never giving up. It was a hard-fought win that we'll learn a lot from.”

— Denfeld Head Coach

“I'm proud of the way our guys battled back and made it a close game. We showed a lot of heart and determination, even if we came up just short in the end.”

— Hermantown Head Coach

What’s next

The Denfeld Hunters will look to build on this win when they take on another conference rival, while Hermantown will try to carry the momentum from their late-game surge into their next matchup.

The takeaway

This back-and-forth battle between Denfeld and Hermantown showcased the unpredictability and excitement of high school baseball, with the Hunters nearly blowing a huge lead before holding on for the victory. Both teams demonstrated the ability to score in bunches, setting the stage for what could be an entertaining season in the local baseball landscape.