Reds Fall in Ugly Game 13-10

The Crookston Reds Amateur Baseball team couldn't overcome walks and timely hits by the Dilworth Raildogs in a 13-10 loss at Fargo North High School Wednesday night. 

The Reds scored to open the game in the top of the first inning when the first two batters reached.  Following a strikeout, Bailey Schmitz singled to bring home a run to make it 1-0 and put runners on the corners with one out.  Matt Morin hit a sacrifice fly to right to bring home the second run and Crookston led 2-0 after half an inning.  In the bottom of the inning, the leadoff man walked and Connor Robley followed with a 2-run home run to tie the game 2-2.  Matt Fiechtner would walk and steal second and come around to score on a single by Josh Moser to make it 3-2 Dilworth after one inning.  

The Reds would reclaim the lead in the second inning.  Blake Kawlewski singled to open the inning and following a strikeout Cody Magsam walked to put runners on first and second.  Owen Ellefson would reach on an error scoring Kawlewski to make it 3-3 and putting runners on the corners.  Schmitz would reach on an error scoring Magsam to put the Reds up 4-3. Morin would follow that up with an RBI single scoring Ellefson to make it 5-3. 

The Reds would extend their lead in the top of the third inning when Kawlewski was hit by a pitch with one out and following a strikeout moved to third on a single by Magsam.  Kawlewski would come home to score on an error and the Reds led 6-3 heading into the bottom of the third.  Dilworth would steal the momentum in the home half the inning when Moser walked and moved to third on an Austin Skjefte double before coming home to score on an error to make it 6-4.  "They walked a few guys and we had some timely hits," said Manager Matt Morin.  "It was a lot of walks, a lot of deep counts for both teams." 

Dilworth would tie the game in the fourth when Robley led off with a double and moved to third on a single by Fiechtner.  Cole Honl followed with a 2-RBI double tying the game at 6-6. Ellefson game on in relief and despite issuing two walks to load the bases was able to keep the Raildogs from adding more runs.  

Dilworth would take the lead in the fifth inning when Robley drew a one-out walk.  Fiechtner was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second before Honl hit a three-run home run to give Dilworth a 9-6 lead after five. 

Dilworth tacked on three more in the sixth inning when Jake Salentine was hit by a pitch with one out and moved to second on a single by Michael Hanson. Salentine would score on a single by Robley to make it 10-6 and put runners on first and second.  Another single loaded the based with two out.   Honl would follow with a 2-rbi single to make it 12-6.  

Dilworth added to their lead in the seventh when Paul Ness drew a one-out walk and went to third on a double by Salentine.  Another walk would load the bases before Zach Schroeder hit a sacrifice fly to make it 13-6.  "They hit the ball well when they had the opportunity," said Morin.  "They hit a couple of home runs.  We didn't particularly hit that well and couldn't keep up through the middle innings." 

The Reds got back to scoring runs in the eighth when Jacob Butcher tripled to lead off the inning.  Following a strikeout, Ellefson single to right scoring Butcher to make it 13-7 Dilworth.  Schmitz and Morin would walk to load the bases with one out.  A wild pitch would bring home Ellefson to make it 13-8 and move the runners to second and third.  Lars Brevik would follow with a 2-RBI double to left center to make it 13-10.  Back to back hitters went down looking at strike three to end the rally.  "Butcher led off the inning with a triple and Owen had a Texas-leaguer to get us a run," said Morin. "Lars had a nice double to get us within three.  We felt like we had some momentum going but just couldn't get any more runs in the ninth."

The Reds fall to 3-3 and will host the Moorhead Brewers on Thursday at 7:35 p.m. at Jim Karn Field.  Dilworth improves to 3-1.  

For Crookston
Jacob Butcher 2-5, 3B, 2R
Matt Morin 1-2, SAC, 2 BB, 2 RBI
Lars Brevik 1-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI