The Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn baseball team found generating offense to be a difficult proposition in three losses last week.

In a 2-1 loss to Akron-Westfield on June 7, the Hawks only had three hits and only one baserunner during the final four innings.

Both teams scored a run in the first inning. The Westerners combined three walks and a single to put their run on the scoreboard. H-M-S answered as Jordan Ortega was hit by a pitch, Dawson Schiphoff singled and Jacob Cates hit a double to tie the score.

Keaton Graves' single in the third inning was the Hawks' last hit in the game.

"We did a better job of making contact but again, hitting it right at people," said Hawk coach Jeremy Gloden. "We had chances early, but we continue to struggle to find that clutch hit."

Akron-Westfield scored the go-ahead run in the fifth on a two-out single.

Starting pitcher Samuel Heyn allowed four hits, walked six and struck out six in 5-2/3 innings. Jordan Ortega gave up two hits and struck out three to finish the game.

"Sam struggled at times on the mound but he competed and kept us in the game," Gloden said. "Jordan did a nice job as well."

• vs. Hinton

Hinton broke open a close game with eight runs in their final two at-bats to hand H-M-S an 11-1 loss, on June 9 at Hinton.

H-M-S fell behind 3-0 in the first inning but managed to cut the deficit in the third when Trenton Vollink walked and scored on Keaton Graves' single. That was the Hawks' only hit of the game.

Hinton added two runs to its lead in the fifth inning and closed out the game with six runs in the sixth.

"We stuck in it until the sixth," Gloden noted. "Things unraveled a little for us and Hinton capitalized."

Jordan Ortega pitched 5-1/3 innings and allowed 11 hits and nine runs, walked three and struck out five. Ben Haack gave up a hit, two runs and two walks.

• vs. Unity Christian

After building an eight-run lead through five innings, Unity Christian doubled the score in the sixth to close out a 16-0 win over H-M-S on June 11 in Hartley.

The Knights scored twice in every inning but the second before adding eight runs in the sixth to end the game.

MIKE PETERSEN/SENTINEL-NEWS

Ben Haack is about to make contact with the ball during a plate appearance in the Hawks' loss to Akron Westfield.

The Hawks' only hit was a single by Dawson Schiphoff.

Ben Haack pitched 3-2/3 innings and was the losing pitcher. He allowed eight hits and six runs. Schiphoff surrendered 12 hits and nine runs in relief.

Gloden is looking for better offensive production at the plate as the Hawks approach the second half of the season.

"We need to continue working on our approach at the plate and being able to come through in run scoring opportunities," he said.

H-M-S (3-6, 1-4) hosts West Sioux on June 18, plays a varsity-only game at West Bend-Mallard on June 22 (5:30 p.m. at Gilmore City) and hosts Harris-Lake Park on June 23.