The Win-E-Mac Patriots had a three run fifth inning and had a must needed pitching performance from Owen Strom, scattering five hit to lead the Patriots 4-2 win over the West Marshall Fusion to keep their hopes alive in the Section 8A Tournament today at the Jim Karn Field in Crookston. Even though the Patriots are 4-1 in the Section Tournament they have to come back and play another game against Bagley in another loser out game. The winner of today’s games will face the unbeaten Red Lake County Rebels in a championship game at 2:00 PM Thursday in Crookston and if Red Lake County win’s they would advance to State. Somebody has to beat Red Lake County twice on Thursday to advance to State. Win-E-Mac is now 13-9 on the season. West Marshall season ends at 13-10.
FIRST INNING
Win-E-Mac’s Jayden Haugen singled with one out but was stranded at second base after a ground out and strike out.
With two outs, West Marshall had back-to-back singles by Wes Olson and Rylan Anderson, but a foul out to first base ended the threat.
SECOND INNING
Win-E-Mac has a lead-off single by Kolten Schow, but a couple ground outs and a strike out ended their inning.
West Marshall had a lead-off single by Sebastian Johnson and he was bunted to second, but a foul out to the catcher and a strikeout stranded Johnson at second base.
THIRD INNING
Win-E-Mac had a lead-off single by Grady Breitbach, after two were out the Patriots took a couple walks to load the bases only to have a ground out to end the inning.
West Marshall had a lead-off walk to Ryan Swanson and after a strikeout, Wes Olson had another single, courtesy runner Anders Thompson was picked off first base and the inning ended on a round out.
FOURTH INNING
Win-E-Mac went down 1-2-3 with a strike out
West Marshall had a lead-off triple by Dylan Widner to start the inning. Sebastian Johnson followed with a sacrifice fly to break the deadlock leading 1-0. The Fusion did have a walk to Owen Widner sandwiched by a couple ground outs.
FIFTH INNING
Win-E-Mac batted nine batters in the inning, starting with a single by Grady Breitbach, followed by a single by Nick Schow and walk to Jayden Haugen to load the bases. Owen Strom brought in a run with a fly ball, a walk to Nathaniel Spry load the bases again and a couple more walks by Kolten Schow and Carter Fortman to bring in two more runs to give the Patriots a 3-1 lead.
Owen Strom came back in the fifth inning and retired the Fusion 1-2-3 with a strikeout in 15 pitches.
SIXTH INNING
Win-E-Mac added another run with Grady Breitbach got on by an error to start the inning and came around to score on a throwing error.
West Marshall did get their lead-off batter, Rylan Anderson on by a walk and ended up by having bases loaded with Anderson scoring on a wild pitch, but the Fusion left bases loaded and trailing 4-2.
SEVENTH INNING
With one out Win-E-Mac’s Carter Fortman singled to left field, stole second but was stranded there as two ground ball outs ended their chance.
West Marshall did get Blair Potucek on by a hit batter and Rylan Anderson by a walk, but they were stranded after a couple ground outs to end the game with Win-E-Mac on top 4-2.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| Win-E-Mac | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
| West Marshall | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
OFFENSIVE LEADERS-
Win-E-Mac
Grady Breitbach 1-2, 2 runs
Carter Fortman 1-3, rbi
Kolten Schow 1-3, rbi
Jayden Haugen 1-1, 3 walks, rbi
West Marshall–
Wes Olson 2-4
Rylan Anderson 1-2, run
Dylan Widner 1-4, triple, run
Sebastian Johnson 1-3, rbi
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB/HBP | K |
| Owen Strom-WEM | 7.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Sebastian Johnson-WM | 4.2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Anders Thompson-WM | 1.1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Ethan Ellerbusch-WM | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
