HLUCNY PITCHES A GEM, BUT ROSEAU WINS WITH A WALK-OFF WALK IN THE 7TH

The Crookston Pirate Baseball team’s Gavyn Hlucny pitched a gem, but Roseau Ram pitcher Trey Mertens was even better as the two allowed a combined three hits as the Roseau Rams won the game 1-0 on a walk-off walk in the bottom of the seventh inning in the first round of the Section 8AA Baseball tournament at Gilbertson Field in Roseau.

FIRST INNING
Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion to start the game. Roseau was also retired in 1-2-3 fashion in the bottom of the inning.

SECOND INNING
Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion. Roseau’s Eli Wensloff recorded the first hit of the game. Wensloff was picked off with a nice move by the Pirate pitcher Gavyn Hlucny. The Rams’ Jack Jerome walked before the next batter was retired.

THIRD INNING
Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion. Roseau’s first two batters were retired before Austin Klint reached on a beautiful bunt down the third baseline for a base hit. Austin Baumgartner walked, and after a Pirate error, runners were at second and third. Hlucny came up with a big out when he got the next batter to pop out to Matt Contreras at a shortstop to get out of the jam.

FOURTH INNING
Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion. Roseu’s Wensloff reached on a walk with one out. The next Ram batter struck out, and Wensloff was out on a fielder’s choice and the game was scoreless after four innings.

FIFTH INNING
Crookston’s Matt Contreras led off the inning with a walk to break up the perfect game by Roseau pitcher Trey Mertens. The next batter flew out before Blake Melsa hit into a fielder’s choice, and Contreras was out at second base. The next batter struck out, and the Pirate threat was over.
Roseau led off the bottom of the inning with an Alex Ballard walk. Trey Mertens laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Ballard to second base, and he later moved over to third base with one out. Roseau tried a suicide squeeze, and the bunt attempt was missed, and the Pirates tagged the baserunner at home for the second out of the inning. The next batter flew out, and the game was scoreless through five innings.

SIXTH INNING
The first two Crookston batters were retired before Jay Reese reached on a walk, but the next batter popped out for the third out of the inning.
The first two Roseau batters were retired before Gavin Jensen walked. The next batter grounded out, and the game was scoreless going into the seventh inning.

SEVENTH INNING
The first two Crookston batters were retired before Hlucny singled to right field for the first Pirate hit of the game. Gavyn stole second base, but the next batter flew out to the first baseman, and the Crookston threat was over.
Roseau started the bottom of the inning with a Jerome walk. Chase Bachleitner bunted, and the Pirates fielded the ball. The throw to first was off the mark, and everybody was safe. Roseau had runners at first and third with nobody out. The Pirates intentionally walked Alex Ballard to load the bases and the next batter hit a ground ball back to the pitcher Hlucny. He threw the ball home, and Greyson Ecker threw to first to complete a 1-2-3 double play. The next batter was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs. Austin Baumgartner was bating, and his at-bat went to a full count. The next pitch was high for ball four, and Roseau won the game 1-0.

Crookston ends the season 7-11 and says goodbye to a pair of Seniors, Blake Melsa and Lucas Miller. Roseau improves to 10-11 on the year and will play Thief River Falls in the second round.

CLICK HERE to listen to Coach Ben Parkin’s post-game comments.