The Crookston American Legion Post 20 Baseball team gave up nine runs on 10 hits in the first inning and cruised the rest of the way to an 11-2 victory in five innings in the first round of the Ely Midsummer Tournament in Ely.
FIRST INNING
Crookston’s Matt Contreras was hit by a pitch to begin the game. Contreras was caught stealing before Blake Melsa singled. The next batter hit into a double play.
Blake Melsa got the start on the mound for Crookston, and Ely came out swinging. The first three Ely batters singled to load the bases. A double scored two runs. A single scored another run. The next batters singled to score a run, but one of the runners was out trying to take third base on the play, and Ely led 4-0 with one out. After a strikeout, the next three Ely batters doubled for a 7-0 lead. The next batter reached on an error to allow a run to score before a single knocked in the ninth run of the inning for a 9-0 Ely lead after one inning of play.
SECOND INNING
The first two Crookston batters were retired by a flyout and a strikeout. Greyson Ecker singled, and a pitch hit Lucas Perala. The next batter popped out, and the Crookston threat was over.
Ely was retired in 1-2-3 fashion with a strikeout and two groundouts.
THIRD INNING
Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion with two flyouts and a strikeout.
Ely had back-to-back walks before an error allowed another baserunner to load the bases. The next batter singled to score a run for a 10-0 lead. After a strikeout, the next batter walked to score another run to give Ely an 11-0 lead.
FOURTH INNING
Crookston finally got on the board in the fourth inning when Gavyn Hlucny led off with a walk. Tanner Giese doubled to score a run. Nolan Cassavant followed with a single to score a run to bring Crookston within an 11-2 deficit. The next three Crookston batters were retired.
The first two Ely batters were retired before a walk. The next batter struck out, and the inning was over.
FIFTH INNING
Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion with three strikeouts to end the inning and the game, as Ely won 11-2 in five innings.
Crookston drops to 10-10 on the year and will play Proctor at 10:45 a.m. and Mosse Lake-Barnum at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| Crookston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Ely | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Blake Melsa – Crox (LP) | 0.2 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Isaiah Donrski – Crox | 1.2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Lucas Perala – Crox | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Hunter Halbakku – Ely (WP) | 5.0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
Crookston leaders
Blake Melsa – 1 for 2
Tanner Giese – 1 for 2, rbi, run
Nolan Cassavant – 1 for 1, rbi
Greyson Ecker – 1 for 2
Ely leaders –
C. Chittum – 3 for 3, 2 rbi, run
L. Panichi – 2 for 2, 2 runs, rbi, walk
