The Crookston Pirate Baseball team scored four runs in the first inning and didn’t look back as they beat the Hillsboro/Central Valley Burros 11-1 in five innings at Jim Karn Field in Crookston.
FIRST INNING
HCV was retired in 1-2-3 fashion to start the game. Crookston’s first batter struck out before Jay Reese, Greyson Ecker, and Matt Contreras to load the bases. Blake Melsa reached on a fielder’s choice. Reese scored on an error before Gavyn Hlucny singled to score two more runs for a 3-0 lead. Parker Kelly grounded out, and a run scored for a 4-0 lead.
SECOND INNING
HCV was retired in 1-2-3 fashion for the second straight inning. Crookston’s Tony Elbinger started the bottom of the inning with a single, and Lucas Miller walked before the next three batters were retired.
THIRD INNING
HCV’s first batter reached on an error before a single. A fielder’s choice allowed a run to score, and the Burros trailed 4-1. Crookston answered in a big way in the bottom of the inning. The first three batters, Melsa, Hlucny, and Kelly walked to load the bases. Carter Fee knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly for a 5-1 lead. A run scored on a wild pitch before Miller and Reese walked to load the bases. Ecker blasted a line drive over the centerfielder’s head for a double that scored three runs for a 9-1 lead.
FOURTH INNING
HCV started the inning with a single. The runner was out on a fielder’s choice, and Crookston’s Hlucny struck out the next two batters.
Crookston’s Hlucny was hit by a pitch, and Kelly walked with one out, but the next two batters were retired.
FIFTH INNING
HCV’s leadoff batter walked before he was picked off on a nice move by Hlucny. The next two batters struck out.
Crookston’s Reese walked for the third time in the game, stole second base, and advanced to third on an error. Ecker singled to score a run for a 10-1 lead. Ecker scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch for an 11-1 victory in five innings.
Crookston improves to 4-5 on the year and will travel to Fergus Falls on Monday. Hillsboro/Central Valley drops to 5-10 on the year.
CLICK BELOW to listen to Coach Ben Parkin’s post-game comments.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| Hillsboro/CV | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Crookston | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | – | – | 11 | 4 | 1 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Gavyn Hlucny-Crox (W) | 5.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| James Fortman-HCV (L) | 2.0 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| Kyle Huffily-HCV | 2.1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 2 |
| Tyson Sundby-HCV | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Crookston leaders
Greyson Ecker – 2 for 3, 4 rbi, 2 runs, double, walk
Gavyn Hlucny – 1 for 2, 2 rbi, run, walk, hit by pitch
Tony Elbinger – 1 for 3
Jay Reese – 0 for 1, 3 walks, 3 runs
For Hillsboro/CV-
Chase Haffely- 1 for 2
Alexander Dufner – 1 for 2
