sports

CROOKSTON LEGION BASEBALL SWEEPS A DH WITH ADA-BORUP

June 20, 2023

The Crookston American Legion Post #20 Baseball team gave up seven runs in the top of the seventh inning but bounced back with a run in the bottom of the inning to beat Ada-Borup-West 12-11 in the first game of a doubleheader. In the second game, Crookston scored six runs in the second inning, and that would be enough as they won 8-4 to earn the sweep at Jim Karn Field in Crookston. Crookston’s Lucas Miller picked up the win on the mound in both games.

GAME ONE-

FIRST INNING
Ada-Borup started the game with a Casper Kritzberger single. The next batter struck out before Austin McCraven walked. Crookston pitcher, Alex Longoria got out of the jam with back-to-back strikeouts.
Crookston had a great start to the game after the leadoff batter was out, George Widman singled and stole second base. Ashton Larson walked before Alex Longoria doubled to score two runs for a 2-0 lead. Longoria later scored on a wild pitch for a 3-0 lead after one inning.

SECOND INNING
Crookston’s Longoria continued to shut down the Ada-Borup batters with two strikeouts and a ground out to keep them scoreless.
Crookston extended its lead in the bottom of the inning when Dalton Dalude was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Lucas Miller singled before Blake Melsa singled in two more runs for a 5-0 lead. Widman drew a walk before Larson reached on an error that allowed another run to score. Longoria singled to score a run, and another run scored on a fielder’s choice for an 8-0 lead.

THIRD INNING
The leadoff Ada-Borup batter struck out, followed by a Casper Kritzberger single. The next batter, Brennen Fetting, walked before another strikeout. The next batter hit into a fielder’s choice, and Crookston got the out at second base for the third out.
The first two Crookston batters struck out. Melsa reached on a walk, but the next batter struck out, and Crookston took an 8-0 lead into the fourth inning.

FOURTH INNING
Ada-Borup got on the board in the top of the fourth inning when Baren Odden led off with a single, advanced to second on an error, moved to third base on a wild pitch, and scored on a Cannon Anderson single to get within an 8-1 deficit.
Crookston only sent four batters to the plate in the inning with Tanner Giese recording a single before he was stranded.

FIFTH INNING
Ada-Borup added another run in the fifth inning when Fetting reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a McCraven stand-up triple after hitting a line drive to the right-center field gap to bring his team within an 8-2 deficit.
Crookston responded with some runs in the bottom of the inning when Lucas Miller singled, and Melsa reached on an error before Widman singled to score two runs for a 10-2 lead. After a pop-out, Longoria singled to score Widman for an 11-2 lead with two outs. The next batter struck out, and Crookston took an 11-2 lead into the sixth inning.

SIXTH INNING
Ada-Borup’s first two batters were retired in the top of the inning before the next three batters reached (two walks, one hit batter) to load the bases. Fetting singled to score a run, and another run scored on a Crookston throwing error, and Ada-Borup was within an 11-4 deficit.
Crookston tried to respond in the bottom of the inning when Jackson Demarais reached on a leadoff walk, but the next three batters were retired.

SEVENTH INNING
Crookston brought in a new pitcher in the seventh inning, and Ada-Borup took advantage as Lance Kritzberger was hit by a pitch, the next batter reached on an error. Another run scored on another error. Ames Fossino singled, Cannon Anderson reached on an error, and a run scored. Braeden Bueng singled, and Casper Kritzberger walked. Fetting singled to score two runs, McCraven singled to score a run, and another run scored on an error. Crookston brought in a new pitcher, and he hit the first batter before allowing a single that tied the game at 11-11. The next batter flew out.
Crookston responded in the bottom of the inning when Melsa reached on an error, Widman singled, and Larson singled. Melsa slid into home plate, just beating the tag to win the game 12-11.

Crookston improves to 7-5 on the year. The first game of the doubleheader is the only one that matters in the league standings.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Ada-Borup	0	0	0	1	1	2	7	11	13	3
Crookston	3	5	0	0	3	0	1	12	12	5

Pitching	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
Alex Longoria-Crox	6.0	8	4	4	4	8
Blake Melsa-Crox	0.2	4	7	3	2	0
Lucas Miller-Crox (WP)	0.1	1	0	0	0	0
Barren Odden-AB	5.0	10	11	9	5	5
Casper Kritzberger-AB (LP)	1.0	2	1	1	1	2

For Crookston-
George Widman-3 for 4, 3 runs, 2 rbi, walk
Alex Longoria-3 for 4, 4 rbi, run
Tanner Giese-2 for 3, rbi
Ashton Larson-2 for 4, 2 runs, rbi

For Ada-Borup-
Brennen Fetting-3 for 5, 3 rbi, 2 runs
Casper Kritzberger-2 for 3, run, 2 walks
Austin McCraven-2 for 4, 2 rbi, run

GAME TWO-

FIRST INNING
Ada-Borup continued their momentum from the final three innings of the first game as they scored four runs in the top of the first inning. The first batter flew out before Cannon Anderson walked. The next batter was out before Lance Kritzberger walked. Both baserunners stole a base, and the runners were at second and third base. Ames Fassino singled to score two runs, and Brady Gilbertson reached on an error. Grant Kuball reached on an error, allowing two more runs to score for a 4-0 lead.
Crookston looked to answer in the bottom of the inning when Blake Melsa walked and advanced to second base on a passed ball. After a strike out, Ashton Larson hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Melsa to get within a 4-1 deficit.

SECOND INNING
Ada-Borup only sent four batters to the plate, with one batter walking, and they were held scoreless after the Crookston defense seemed to settle in.
Crookston responded in the bottom of the inning in a big way while batting through the line-up. Jackson Demarais reached on an error, and Caden Ames doubled to score a run. After a strikeout, Lucas Miller helped his cause with a double to score another run. After the second out of the inning, George Widman walked, Alex Longoria reached on an error, and another run scored. Longoria scored on another Ada-Borup error, and Crookston had a 7-1 lead.

THIRD INNING
Ada-Borup had their leadoff batter reach on an error before the next three batters were retired.
Crookston had a two-out rally going in the bottom of the inning when Lucas Miller singled with two outs. He stole second base and later scored on a Blake Melsa hit for an 8-4 lead.

FOURTH INNING
Ada-Borup had a one-out walk before the next two batters were retired.
Crookston started the bottom of the inning with a leadoff walk but couldn’t get a base hit to score a run, and Crookston led 8-4 going into the final inning.

FIFTH INNING
The first Ada-Borup batter struck out, the next batter walked. The third batter of the inning struck out before a single. With runners at first and third, the next batter grounded out to second base and Crookston won the game 8-4.

Crookston improves to 8-5 on the year and will travel to Fertile on Wednesday.