WILLISTON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Grafton uses timely hitting and strong pitching from Marcus Niemann to end Jamestown’s season with a 7-2 win in an elimination game at the Class A State American Legion Baseball Tournament in Williston on Friday.
Jamestown scored first in the first. Dawson Douty led off with an infield single. After Ryder Lunzman sacrificed courtesy runner Drew Murray over to second, a wild pitch with Tommy Falk at the plate moved Murray to third. Tommy Falk walked. And Chris Erickson forced courtesy runner Jakob Schemp at second which scored Murray t give Post 14 a 1-0 lead. It was the only lead they would have.
Grafton scored six of its seven runs with two outs. The first two came on Joe Larson’s two out double and Matt Suda’s triple the next batter to make it 2-1 Spoilers. Riley Hanson would make it 3-1 with a two-out rbi single in the third. Todd Anderson’s two-out two run single in the fourth madeit 5-1.
Jamestown would cut the lead to 5-2 when Max Anderson would single in Chirs Erickson in the sixth. But Grafton would plate two more in the bottom of the inning Hanson’s rbi single and Johnny Young’s sacrifice fly.
Grafton starter Marcus Niemann came out with two in the seventh because of the pitch count rule. Niemann allowed seven hits, two earned runs with a walk and six strikeouts. Brock Gunderson yielded a hit to Tommy Falk but got Erickson to pop out to end the game and Post 14’s season.
Dawson Douty was 2 for 3 in the game. Ryder Lunzman 1 for 3 with a double. Tommy Falk 1 for 3. Chris Erickson was 1 for 4 with a run and an rbi. He was 5 for 10 with seven rbi for the tournament. Max Anderson was 2 for 3 with an rbi. And Aaron Kleven was 1 for 3.
As a team, Jamestown hit .365 at the state tournament led by Chris Erickson. Dawson Douty was 4 for 8 with four runs. Ryder Lunzman was 4 for 8 with two doubles. Tommy Falk was 3 for 8 with 2 rbi. Max Anderson was 4 for 9 with 3 rbi. Kohl Kratz went 3 for 9 with 2 rbi and Aaron Kleven was 2 for 5.
Jamestown ends the season 17-12. Grafton will play another elimination game on Saturday.
Day 3 Results:
Grafton 7, Jamestown 2
Bismarck Reps 12 Surrey 2
Fargo Bomber 8 Park River 5