The Crookston Pirates scored the first run of the game, but the Fergus Falls Otters scored the next 12 runs on their way to a 12-1 victory in five innings in a game played at American Legion field in Fergus Falls.
Crookston started the game with back-to-back singles from Joe Doda and Brady Butt. After a Pirate strikeout, Gavin Salem hit a ground ball to the second baseman that allowed Doda to score to give Crookston a 1-0 lead. “We kept our good at-bats going and the top of the order has been doing a good job for us this year,” said Pirate Coach Mitch Bakken. “It was a good way to start.”
In the bottom of the first inning, Crookston had a great start when they retired the first two Fergus Falls batters. The Otters got rolling with a two-out rally and four straight hits to take a 2-1 lead. “They were really disciplined hitters and they were hitting tough pitches,” said Coach Bakken. “Some games things fall in and they had a couple down the line and they showed they had some pretty good hitters.”
In the top of the second inning, Brooks Butt singled over the shortstop, but the next batter grounded up the middle and the Fergus Falls shortstop fielded the ball and took one step to second and threw to first base for a double play to get out of a jam.
In the bottom of the second inning, Fergus Falls broke the game open with seven runs on five hits, while taking advantage of three Crookston errors for a 9-1 lead. “They hit the ball hard again and I felt bad for Joe because I thought he pitched well,” said Coach Bakken. “We had two outfielders dive for balls and it goes off their glove and there were some bloopers and it was Fergus Falls’ day.”
Fergus Falls added three more runs on three hits in the bottom of the third inning for a 12-1 lead. Crookston had a hit in the fourth inning, but they were retired in order in the fifth and Fergus Falls held on for a 12-1 victory in five innings. “The Fergus Falls pitcher made some adjustments after the first inning and we couldn’t get many hits,” said Coach Bakken. “I think we played pretty well, although I was disappointed with hanging our heads after a couple of errors, Fergus Falls is good and they hit the ball well today.”
Crookston drops to 3-7 on the year and will travel to East Grand Forks on Tuesday. Fergus Falls improves to 4-12 on the year.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E | |
| CROOKSTON | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Fergus Falls | 2 | 7 | 3 | 0 | x | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Joey Doda – Crookston | 2.0 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Leyton Salentine – Crox | 2.0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Brock Kotschevar – FF | 5.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
For Crookston
Joey Doda 1-2, run
Brady Butt 1-2
Jade Selzler 1-2
Brooks Butt 1-2
Gavin Salem 0-1, rbi
For Fergus Falls
Cole Knudson 2-4, double, 2 runs, 4 rbi
Brock Kotschevar 2-2, run, 2 rbi
Jack Baker 2-3, run, rbi
Michael Maanum 2-3, run, rbi
Abel Aho 1-3, triple, run
