'Chutes down Moorhead, 8-4

Posted

FARGO, N.D. – The ‘Chutes put up four runs in the top of the seventh to break open a tie ball-game en route to an 8-4 win ove Moorhead, Minn., on Friday in their opening game of the 21st Annual Jim McLaughlin Junior American Legion Baseball Invitational Tournament at Jack Williams Stadium.

Brookings scored a lone run in the first inning when Jackson Krogman reached on a dropped third strike and advanced to second on the ensuing throwing error. Jamsion Honkomp’s two-out single plated Krogman for the early lead.

After Moorhead tied the game with a run in the bottom of the second, the ‘Chutes went back on top in the third when Daniel Messerli drew a base on balls, stole second, and then advanced to third and home on passed balls.

Brookings plated another single run in the fourth when Cole Mahlum singled and went to second on an error by the first baseman. Kyle Bauer’s double put runners on the corner before Caden Wright’s groundball out plated Mahlum to make it 3-1.

Moorhead answered with two in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game and then added one in the fifth to go up 4-3.

The ‘Chutes tied the game with a run in the sixth when Max Kjelden led off with a single to left; advanced to second on a passed ball; moved to third on Bauer’s groundout; and then scored on Wright’s sacrifice flyout to right field.

Messerli and Henry Hammerich hit back-to-back singles to open the seventh before both stole bases to put two in scoring position. Honkomp singled with one out to plate Messerli and then, Mahlum doubled to score Hammerich and put runners on second and third.

Kjelden hit a grounder to the third baseman, who threw to home to keep Honkomp from scoring, as the ‘Chutes now had the bases loaded for Bauer, who hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Honkomp for a 7-4 lead.

Wright singled to left to plate Mahlum to make it 8-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Although Moorhead got two runners on base, Max Struck got out of the inning unscathed to pick up the win in relief. He gave up just one hit and a walk while striking out two in 2 2/3 innings of relief.

Krogman started the game and surrendered four runs – one earned – on nine hits and a walk with six strikeouts over 4 1/3 frames.

The ‘Chutes have a rematch with Moorhead this morning at 8 a.m. before taking on Minnetonka at 1 p.m.

Sunday’s matchups are dependent upon Saturday’s results.

BROOKINGS 8, MOORHEAD 4

Brookings 101 101 4    8  11  1

Moorhead 010 210 0    4  10  2

Jackson Krogman, Max Struck (5) and Cole Mahlum; Moorhead battery unavailable. W – Struck. 2B: B, Kyle Bauer, Cole Mahlum.