The Middle River Post 444 American Legion Baseball team scored four runs in the fifth inning and added two more in the sixth inning to come from behind to beat Stephen-Argyle in a Northwest North Sub-state tournament play-in game in Argyle.
FIRST INNING-
Stephen-Argyle recorded hits from Adam McIntyre and Aiden Anderson, as well as a walk from De Oberg, but Middle River RHP Isaak Anderson struck out three batters to avoid any runs.
Stephen-Argyle’s Derek Moehrle struck out the side in the first, retiring Middle River 1-2-3.
SECOND INNING-
Stephen-Argyle was retired 1-2-3, with Isaak Anderson striking out two more batters, bringing his total to five.
Middle River recorded a one-out single from Cade Knudsen followed by a one-out walk from Kelby Agustine, but Derek Moehrle recorded a groundout and strikeout to leave two runners on, scoring no runs.
THIRD INNING-
Adam McIntyre started the inning with a walk, and after two outs were recorded, Aiden Anderson delivered with an RBI single to left field. Isaak Anderson struck out the last batter to get out of the inning.
Middle River’s first two batters reached on errors by Rylan Anderson, then another error by Emmett Lunsetter tied the game at 1-1. A sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third, and Straet Spilde delivered with a two-run single, making it 3-1. After Spilde was picked off at third, Darby Benett committed an error. Kelby Agustine was next, but he struck out, ending the rally for Middle River.
FOURTH INNING-
After a leadoff walk by Rylan Anderson, and a strikeout by Dusty Moehrle, Emmett Lunsetter drives in Anderson to make it 3-2. After a walk by McIntyre, Darby Benett tied the game with an RBI single into center. Anderson struck out the next batter, ending the inning.
Derek Moehrle retired Middle River 1-2-3, including two strikeouts.
FIFTH INNING-
After the first two runners reached, Isaak Anderson was pulled for Cade Knutsen. He struck out his first batter and retired his second on a groundout, but a passed ball scored the go-ahead run before another groundout ended the inning.
Middle River started with the bases loaded after an error, a single and a walk. Straet Spilde came up next and drove in one run with a single to tie the game. Knutsen followed and also singled, giving Middle River the lead. A force play at second after a strikeout drove in another run, and then Braden Nordby pinch-hit for Middle River and reached on an error, scoring the fourth run of the inning.
SIXTH INNING-
Stephen-Argyle was retired 1-2-3, on two strikeouts from Knutsen.
Middle River added to their lead in the home half of the sixth against new Stephen-Argyle pitcher Ethan Ellerbusch, scoring two runs, one on an RBI single by Caleb Bray and another on the double by Street Spilde. Knutsen drove in the ninth run of the game for Middle River on an RBI single, before Kelby Agustine struck out to end the frame.
SEVENTH INNING-
Stephen-Argyle attempted to put together a seventh-inning rally, scoring a run on an RBI force play by Carson Safranski and another run scoring on a wild pitch, but Knutsen got Derek Moehrle to strike out looking for the third time, ending the game and giving Stephen-Argyle a 9-6 victory.
Middle River will play Fosston on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in the first round in Ada. Stephen-Argyle’s season comes to an end with the loss.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| Stephen-Argyle | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Middle River | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 2 | x | 9 | 7 | 0 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Derek Moehrle – SA | 5.0 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| Ethan Ellerbusch – SA | 1.0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Isaak Anderson – MR | 4.0 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| Cade Knudsen – MR | 3.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Stephen-Argyle leaders –
Aiden Anderson- 4-for-4, SB, RBI
Adam McIntyre- 1-for-2, SB, 2 BB
Middle River leaders –
Straet Spilde- 3-for-4, 2B, 4 RBI
Cade Knutsen- 3-for-4, 2 RBI
