The Crookston Reds Amateur Baseball team got out to an early lead Saturday night, but a big inning for the Dilworth Raildogs fueled by four Reds errors as too much to overcome in a 9-2 loss.
The Reds scored in the first to open the game when two runners reached on errors with one out. Matt Morin singled to score Owen Ellefson, while Jacob Butcher tried to score from second but was thrown out and the Reds led 1-0.
Both pitchers cruised through the next several innings as hitters on both sides struggled to see the ball looking into the setting sun. Dilworth would take the lead with a big sixth inning. The first two runners reached on errors at third and first before Austin Skjefte singled to make it 1-1. A walk loaded the bases before a Dylan Robley single made it 2-1. Another run would come home on an error at third before a wild pitch made it 4-1. Zach Schroeder would cap off the inning with a two-RBI single to make it 6-1 Dilworth.
The Reds were unable to get much going offensively as they picked up just four hits but were able to scratch across a run in the sixth when Jacob Butcher led off with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on an RBI groundout by Matt Morin to make it 6-2.
Dilworth put the game away in the either when Schroeder picked up a one-out double and scored on a double by Connor Robley making it 7-2. Cole Honl followed with an RBI single to make it 8-2. A walk put runners on first and second before a line drive caromed off the shortstop’s glove to load the bases. Paul Ness would draw a walk to bring home the third run of the inning and make it 9-2.
The Reds threatened in the ninth when Rob Silvers picked up a one-out single and Aaron Butcher walked, but back to back strikeouts looking would end the game and the season for Reds.
The Reds season concludes with a 13-14 record and ends their streak of two straight berths to the Minnesota Amateur Baseball State Tournament. Dilworth advances to the Region 10C Tournament August 3-11.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Crookston | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Dilworth | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | x | 9 | 13 | 3 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Luke Gable – Dil (WP) | 9.0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 15 |
| Jacob Butcher – Crox (LP) | 7.0 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Aaron Butcher – Crox | 1.0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
For Dilworth
Zach Schroeder 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
For Crookston
Matt Morin 1-4, 2 RBI
