STEPHEN-ARGYLE COMES FROM BEHIND TO END CROOKSTON LEGION BASEBALL’S SEASON

The Crookston American Legion Post 20 baseball team took a 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh inning, but Stephen-Argyle responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning to win a loser-out game in the District 9 Division II north sub-district American Legion tournament in Argyle.  

FIRST INNING

Crookston had a threat in the top of the inning when Cade Coauette singled with one out.  Alex Longoria hit a line drive to right-center field, but Stephen-Argyle’s Jason Lindgren made a diving catch in the gap to rob Longoria of an extra-base hit.  Ashton Larson followed with a two-out single before the next batter flew out to right field, and the threat was over.
In the bottom of the inning, Stephen-Argyle’s Nick Winge singled with one out, and Jason Lindgren walked.  Demetrius Oberg singled to score a run for a 1-0 lead.  After a strikeout, Frank Finney hit a ground ball to second base, the Crookston second baseman booted the ball, and a run scored to give Stephen-Argyle a 2-0 lead. 

SECOND INNING

Crookston cooked up another threat in the second inning when Cade DeLeon walked, and with two outs, Carter Coauette reached on an infield single, and runners were at first and second.  The next batter was retired, and Crookston couldn’t score again.
In the bottom of the inning, Stephen-Argyle’s Izyk Strege singled with two outs before the next batter hit into a fielder’s choice for the third out.

THIRD INNING

Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion in the top of the inning.  
Stephen-Argyle’s first batter was retired before Crookston committed an error to allow Oberg to reach.  The following two batters hit into fielder’s choices, and Stephen-Argyle led 2-0 after three innings.

FOURTH INNING

Crookston was retired in 1-2-3 fashion for the second straight inning.
Stephen-Argyle was also retired in 1-2-3 fashion, and they led 2-0 after four innings.

FIFTH INNING

Crookston was retired in `1-2-3 fashion for the third straight inning, but this time it took a great defensive play by the Stephen-Argyle right fielder Frank Finney.  Jacob Miller hit a line drive to right field, and Finney played it off one hop and fired a strike to first base to get  Miller on the force out.
Jason Lindgren doubled with two outs in the bottom of the inning, but the next batter flew out to center field, and Stephen-Argyle led 2-0 after five innings.

 SIXTH INNING

Crookston started the sixth inning with a single by Cade Coauette.  Cade tried to stretch it into a double after the right fielder fell, but he was thrown out at second base for the first out.  Longoria followed with a single to left field before stealing second base.  Ashton Larson singled to center field, and Stephen-Argyle threw the ball home.  On the throw, Larson tried to advance to second base and was thrown out.  On the play, Longoria scored to bring Crookston within a 2-1 deficit. 

SEVENTH INNING

Crookston’s Blake Melsa led off the inning with a single to left field. After a strike out, Jacob Miller hit a line drive down the right field line that got past the diving right fielder for a double, and Crookston had runners at second and third base with one out.  The next batter grounded out to the pitcher, and the runners had to stay at their respective bases on the play.  Stephen-Argyle elected to walk Longoria to load the bases intentionally.  Ashton Larson, the Crookston cleanup batter, had two hits coming into the at-bat and hit a line drive to left-center field to score two runs to take a 3-2 lead.  The next batter was retired, and Crookston took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the inning.
Stephen-Argyle couldn’t have asked for a better start to the bottom of the inning as Carson Safranski blasted a high flyball over the left field fence with a no-doubt solo home run to tie the game at 3-3.  The next batter walked, Izyk Strege laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Blaine Smith to second base.  Smith advanced to third base on a wild pitch and scored on a Nick Winge single up the middle for a 4-3 come from behind victory.  

Stephen-Argyle advances to the third place game and will also advance to the sub-state tournament in Crookston on Thursday. Stephen-Argyle improves to 22-11 on the year and will play Warroad for third place.  
Crookston’s season comes to an end with a 6-13 record. 

FOR CROOKSTON COACH ROB SILVERS COMMENTS, CLICK BELOW – 

For Crookston –
Ashton Larson – 3 for 4, 2 rbi
Cade Coauette – 2 for 4
Alex Longoria – 1 for 3, run, Intentional walk

For Stephen-Argyle –
Nick Winge – 2 for 4, rbi, run
Jason Lindgren – 1 for 2, walk, run
Carson Safranski – 1 for 3, home run, run, rbi