The Crookston Pirate Baseball team scored 10 runs in the first three innings and coasted to a 13-5 victory over the Bagley Flyers in a game played at Jim Karn Field in Crookston on a cool, breezy afternoon.
Crookston got things going in the first inning when Gunner Gunderson reached on an error before Jacob Miller and Brooks Butt followed with singles. Carter Bruggeman reached on an error. Cade DeLeon was hit by a pitch to score a run and Ethan Boll singled to score another run. The Pirate hit parade continued as Ashton Larson singled to score a run for a 6-0 lead. The next two batters were retired and Crookston led 6-0 after the first inning. “I was happy with the guys putting the ball in play and Bagley gave us some extra chances with some errors,” said Pirate Coach Bakken. “He took advantage of some miscues and had some good hits and baserunning.”
Crookston came back in the bottom of the second inning with a two-out rally. Cade DeLeon singled and Ethan Boll reached on an error. Ashton Larson reached on an error and two runs scored for an 8-0 lead. “We had some decent at bats and we were putting the ball in play,” said Coach Bakken. “It was nice to get something going with two outs.”
Bagley got on the board in the top of the third inning with a two-out Boysen Olson single. Olson advanced to second on a wild pitch, stole third base, and scored on a wild pitch to get within an 8-1 deficit.
Crookston responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning when Austin Trinkle singled, stole second base, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on another wild pitch for a 9-1 lead. Gunner Gunderson and Jacob Miller reached on an error and Carter Bruggeman singled in a run for a 10-1 lead. “Gunner and Jacob Miller had some good at bats and Carter is starting to come into his own,” said Coach Bakken.
Bagley added three runs in the fourth inning with a lead-off single from Brett Merschman. Logan Merschman followed with a single and Beau Gunderson singled to score a run. Isaac Schermerhorn singled to score another run. James Witczek was hit by a pitch and Crookston Coach Mitch Bakken decided it was time for a pitching change. Cade Coauette came into pitch and struck out the first batter he faced. The next batter grounded out to score a run for the third run of the inning and bring Bagley within a 10-5 deficit.
Crookston added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. The inning started with an outstanding 10-pitch at bat from Cade Coauette and after fouling several pitches off he drew a walk. Brooks Butt reached on a throwing error and Bruggeman singled to score a run. After a strikeout, Ethan Boll reached on a fielder’s choice and another run scored to give Crookston a 12-5 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Crookston added another run when George Widman reached on an eight-pitch walk. Gunderson singled and Coauette followed with a single to score a run and the Pirates led 13-5.
Cade Coauette pitched the final four innings of the game for Crookston and didn’t give up a hit while striking out seven batters and only walking one. “He pitched outstanding for us,” said Coach Bakken. “He was mixing the curve ball and fastball and is slowly coming along and he is fighting for a spot at the top of the rotation.”
Crookston improves to 5-2 on the year and will travel to East Grand Forks to play Sacred Heart on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Bagley drops to 3-3 on the year.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| Bagley | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| CROOKSTON | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 11 | 0 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K |
| Carter Bruggeman-Crox | 3.0 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Cade Coauette-Crox | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
For CROOKSTON
Gunner Gunderson – 2 for 4, 2 runs, walk
Ethan Boll – 2 for 4, 2 runs, 2 rbi
Carter Bruggeman – 2 for 5, 2 rbi, run
For Bagley
Isaac Shermerhorn – 2 for 3, run, rbi
