Heier's No-Hitter Leads Tornadoes to 5-0 Victory

Oakes pitcher Zade Heier comes within one out of a perfect game in dominant performance.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:06pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the dynamic motion and energy of a high school baseball pitcher in the midst of their delivery.Zade Heier's near-perfect game showcases the Tornadoes' dominant pitching and the raw energy of high school baseball.Oakes Today

Oakes High School pitcher Zade Heier came within one out of a perfect game, striking out 20 batters and allowing just one walk in a 5-0 victory over the Enderlin Eagles. Heier's dominant performance set a new school record for strikeouts in a game.

Why it matters

Heier's near-perfect game is a remarkable achievement in high school baseball, showcasing his exceptional pitching skills and the Tornadoes' dominance over their conference rival. The win keeps Oakes in contention for the state championship, building excitement and momentum for the team's postseason push.

The details

Heier was one out away from a perfect game before issuing a walk in the bottom of the 7th inning. He finished with 20 strikeouts, a new school record. The Tornadoes scored runs in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th innings to build a 5-0 lead, with RBIs coming from Trey Miles, Joseph Dobitz, Nathan Schmitz, and Heier himself.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • Heier struck out the side in the 1st inning.
  • Heier struck out 16 batters in a row at one point.
  • Heier recorded his 20th strikeout to end the game.

The players

Zade Heier

The Oakes High School pitcher who came within one out of a perfect game, setting a new school record with 20 strikeouts.

Trey Miles

An Oakes player who drove in a run with a double in the 3rd inning.

Joseph Dobitz

An Oakes player who drove in a run with a single in the 4th inning.

Nathan Schmitz

An Oakes player who drove in a run with a single in the 5th inning.

Ethan Cimbura

The Enderlin player who broke up Heier's perfect game bid with a walk in the 7th inning.

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What they’re saying

“Zade Heier was one out away from perfection before giving up a walk allowing the one and only Enderlin baserunner in the entire game.”

— Ricky Klaverkamp, Author

What’s next

The Tornadoes' next game is tentatively scheduled for Friday, April 17th at 5:00 pm against Central Cass.

The takeaway

Zade Heier's dominant performance on the mound has the Tornadoes poised for a deep playoff run, showcasing the team's pitching depth and ability to win close games against tough conference opponents.