sports

CROOKSTON LEGION BASEBALL BEATS FERTILE FOR 8TH WIN IN A ROW

June 21, 2023

The Crookston American Legion Post #20 Baseball team scored early and often on its way to a 14-3 victory in six innings in Fertile.

FIRST INNING
Crookston’s Blake Melsa started the game by drawing a walk, stole second base, and moved over to third on a passed ball. George Widman hit a ground ball and reached on an error that allowed Melsa to score for a 1-0 lead. Asthon Larson was hit by a pitch before Alex Longoria singled to load the bases. Widman scored on another passed ball, and Tanner Giese singled to score another run and Crookston took a 3-0 lead. Dalton Delude grounded out, and Longoria scored for a 4-0 lead.
Fertile bounced back in the bottom of the inning after the leadoff batter grounded out, Caleb Sather singled, and Easton Petry doubled to score a run to get within a 4-1 deficit. The next two batters were retired, and Crookston took a 4-1 lead into the second inning.

SECOND INNING
Crookston lead-off man Melsa reached on an error, but the next three batters were retired.
Fertile added another run with a Steven Sather walk before Kolby Hemman reached on an error, and Joe Sorenson walked to load the bases. Bryer Strem hit a sacrifice fly to score a run, and Fertile trailed 4-2.

THIRD INNING
Crookston and Fertile batters were retired in 1-2-3 fashion in the top of the inning.

FOURTH INNING
Dalton Delude started the inning and was hit by a pitch. After a ground out and a pop out, Widman was hit by a pitch. LDelude scored on a passed ball before Larson singled to score another run for a 6-2 lead. The next batter struck out.
Fertile was retired in 1-2-3 fashion for the second straight inning.

FIFTH INNING
Giese started the inning with a double followed by a Jackson Demarais single to score a run. Caden Ames walked, Lucas Miller tripled to score two more runs for a 9-2 lead. Melsa walked before Widman singled to score a run, and Melsa stole home as Widman stole second base on a double steal, and Crookston led 11-2.
Fertile was retired in 1-2-3 fashion for the third straight inning as Giese was shutting down the Fertile lineup.

SIXTH INNING
Crookston’s Giese walked and moved to second on a ground out before Ames walked. Giese stole third base, and then Ames and Giese converted another Crookston double steal to score another run for a 12-2 lead. Miller hit a sacrifice fly to score a run, and Melsa singled to score a run for a 14-2 lead.
Fertile tried to mount a late-game rally, and after the first two batters were retired, Prestin Hanson tripled, Gavin Aakhus walked, and Sather singled to score a run to bring Fertile within a 14-3 deficit. The next batter was retired, and Crookston won 14-3 in six innings because of the 10-run rule.

Crookston improves to 9-5 on the season after winning their eighth game in a row. The games with Fosston on Friday have been postponed to next week.