The Crookston Pirate Baseball team had a solid pitching performance from Blake Melsa and timely hitting and baserunning to beat the Lake Park-Audubon Raiders 5-2 in Lake Park.
FIRST INNING
Crookston’s Lucas Miller got things going with a bloop single to start the game. Mathew Contreras reached on an error and runners were at second and third. Blake Melsa grounded out and a run scored for a 1-0 lead.
LPA responded in the bottom of the inning when Carter Henrickson walked and Sean Felker doubled. Henrickson scored on a sacrifice to tie the game at 1-1.
SECOND INNING
Crookston’s Parker Kelly was hit by a pitch with one out before Nolan Cassavant and Jay Reese walked to load the bases. Miller hit into a fielder’s choice to score a run and the Pirates led 2-1.
LPA’s Kale Thompson singled, Haden Crow reached on an error and runners were at second and third. Josh Stone reached on an error and a run scored to tie the game 2-2.
THIRD INNING
Crookston’s Greyson Ecker singled to start the inning and stole second and third base. After a strikeout, Parker Kelly grounded out allowing Ecker to score and the Pirates led 3-2. LPA was retired in 1-2-3 fashion.
FOURTH INNING
Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion. LPA’s Colby Poegel reached on an error and Thompson singled. The next three batters were retired and the Raider threat was over as Crookston took a 3-2 lead into the fifth inning.
FIFTH INNING
Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion for the second inning in a row. LPA’s Henrickson led the inning off with a walk before he was caught stealing on a great throw by Pirate catcher Greyson Ecker. The next two batters were retired and Crookston took a 3-2 lead into the sixth inning.
SIXTH INNING
Lucas Perala led off the top of the inning, reaching on a strikeout and wild pitch. He stole second and third base before he scored on an Isaiah Donarski ground out for a 4-2 lead. LPA was retired in 1-2-3 fashion.
SEVENTH INNING
Crookston’s Matthew Contreras reached on a walk to start the inning. He stole second and third base and scored on an error for a 5-2 lead.
LPA was retired in 1-2-3 fashion with all three batters striking out, and Crookston won the game 5-2.
Crookston improves to 3-3 on the year and will host Warroad for a doubleheader on Tuesday at 4 and 6:00 p.m. Lake Park-Audubon drops to 4-6 on the year.
CLICK BELOW to listen to Crookston Head Coach Ben Parkin.
Audio Player
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| Crookston | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| LPA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
| Blake Melsa-Crox (W) | 6.2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| Gavyn Hlucny – Crox | 0.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Kale Thompson – LPA (L( | 7.0 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
For Crookston
Greyson Ecker – 2 for 4, 2 stolen bases, run
Lucas Miller – 1 for 4, run
For Lake Park-Audubon
Kale Thompson – 2 for 3, run
Sean Felker – 1 for 3, double
