The Crookston American Legion Post 20 Baseball team battled the Red Lake Falls American Legion Baseball team on Monday night from Jim Karn Field. Crookston scored early and often on their way to a 12-6 win.
Crookston used the game as a staff day on the mound, and Alex Longoria got the start. Longoria was able to work out of a bases-loaded jam and put up a zero in the top of the first inning.
Crookston got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Jacob Miller drew a 1-out walk, and was hit home on an Ashton Larson triple. Alex Longoria would then single him home and Crookston led 2-0 after one inning of play.
Red Lake Falls would put multiple runners on again in the top of the second inning as Blake Breiland drew a walk, and Brock Seeger singled, but both would be stranded on base.
Crookston would add to their lead in the bottom of the second inning. Blake Melsa would work a leadoff walk, and after a wild pitch, come home to score on a Cade DeLeon single. Red Lake Falls would then walk the bases loaded, and make a pitching change down 3-0. They would walk another run in and Larson would then get his second hit of the day scoring two more runs and giving Crookston a 6-0 lead. Red Lake Falls would get three straight outs, and get out of the inning, but the damage was done as Crookston had broken the game open.
Blake Melsa would relieve Alex Longoria in the third inning and pitch a 1-2-3 inning to quickly get Crookston back into the dugout. Crookston would score two more in the third inning with two-out hits from Jackson Demarais, Gunner Gunderson, and Jacob Miller. That gave them an 8-0 lead after three innings.
Red Lake Falls would get on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning after Carson Erickson drew a walk, advanced to third base on a couple of wild pitches, and then came home on a double from Brock Seeger.
Crookston would score three more runs in the bottom of the fourth, forcing Red Lake Falls to score at least one run in the top of the fifth inning to continue the game, as they trailed 11-1. Red Lake Falls would do that and a little more, scoring three runs to cut the deficit to 11-4. The first five hitters reached base before three straight outs were recorded.
Crookston would get one run back in the bottom of the frame on a Jacob Miller triple, and Justin Lindgren ground out bringing the run home. That put Crookston in front 12-4 through five complete innings.
Red Lake Falls would get three straight hits from Gunnar Halverson, Pacey Struthers, and Ashtin Fredrickson to start the top of the sixth inning and score another run. Once again, Crookston would record three straight outs and get out of the inning still in the lead 12-5.
After a scoreless bottom of the sixth inning, Crookston needed just three outs to secure the win. Red Lake Falls would get a rbi single from Peyton Fish, but nothing more, giving Crookston a 12-6 win.
Crookston improves to 4-5 on the season and will play Roseau this Thursday in a doubleheader. Red Lake Falls drops to 1-3 on the season.
FOR CROOKSTON MANAGER ROB SILVERS COMMENTS, CLICK BELOW
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| Red Lake Falls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 2 |
| Crookston | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | – | 12 | 9 | 1 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
| Alex Longoria – Crookston (WP) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Blake Melsa – Crookston | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Cade Coauette – Crookston | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Jackson Lindgren – Crookston | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Jacob Miller – Crookston | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Blake Breiland – Red Lake Falls (LP) | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Carson Erickson – Red Lake Falls | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Peyton Fish – Red Lake Falls | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
For Crookston –
Ashton Larson 2 for 3, 3 rbi, run
Cade DeLeon 2 for 3, 3 rbi, run
Jacob Miller 2 for 2, 2 rbi, run, SB, 2 BB
For Red Lake Falls –
Brock Seeger 2 for 4, rbi
Pacey Struthers 2 for 3, run, BB
Peyton Fish 2 for 5, rbi
