The Crookston Reds used an offensive outpouring in route to an 11-3 win over Thief River Falls in a non-League game played at MEC Park in Thief River Falls.
Crookston struck first following an infield error that allowed Will Zimmerman to reach base safely to start the game before stealing second and advancing to third base on a fielder’s choice. Another groundout by Bailey Schmitz drove Zimmerman in safely giving the Reds a 1-0 lead. An error allowed Thief River Falls’ tying run to reach base in the bottom of the first inning before an error at first base on a fielder’s choice allowed the Bombers tying run to score in the bottom of the first inning. Sean Minder settled in on the mound for the Reds after the first inning not allowing another run over seven innings pitched. Crookston’s bats came to life in the fifth inning to put the game away. Jackson Seibel reached base on an error at shortstop to start the rally with one out. Cody Magsam followed by getting hit by a pitch putting runners on first and second base. A fly out marked the second out of the inning before Noah Zimmerman hit a single to plate Seibel and move Magsam to third base while giving the Reds a 2-1 lead. Bailey Schmitz then doubled to plate Magsam and Zimmerman before Dave Grabowski singled to plate Schmitz giving Crookston a 5-1 lead. Matt Morin capped off the inning with a rbi single giving the Reds a 6-1 lead after five innings. The Reds added two more runs in the seventh inning. Will Zimmerman walked before Noah Zimmerman singled allowing Will to score on the throw back to the infield while Noah advanced to second base. Bailey Schmitz followed with a rbi single adding another run to the Reds’ lead. Thief River Falls scratched back two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, still trailing 8-3 going into the ninth. Crookston added three more insurance runs in the final inning. Will Zimmerman started the inning with a walk before Noah Zimmerman hit a triple allowing Will to score from first base. Dave Grabowski doubled to plate Noah Zimmerman before ultimately scoring the game’s final run on a wild pitch to close out the Reds’ 11-3 win.
The Reds improve to 17-13 overall and will travel for a Red River Amateur Baseball League game in Ada against the A’s on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Crookston | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 4 |
| Thief River Falls | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 2 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Sean Minder – Crox | 7.0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Blake Kawlewski – Crox | 2.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Alex Carlson – TRF | 9.0 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 3 | 3 |
For Crookston
Noah Zimmerman – 4-5, 2 rbi, 3 runs
Bailey Schmitz – 2-5, 4 rbi, run
Dave Grabowski – 2-5, 2 rbi, 2 runs
