The Valley City Saints won the seventh straight game defeating the Enderlin Indies 2-0 Wednesday night at Charlie Brown Memorial Field behind a complete game 11 strikeout performance by Saints starter Reed Butz on Valley City Eagles Night. The Saints won despite 17 strikeouts from Enderlin starter Kalton Agnes as Butz was able to outduel Agnes on the mound.
The Indies appeared early on that they would get to Butz as Trenton Duchscherer led the game off with a single. After Derek Lyons reached on an error, Butz was able to get out of trouble as the next two hitters grounded into fielder’s choices. Agnes would plunk Gavin Wright to start the bottom of the 1st. Wright was able to reach 3rd on a stolen base and wild pitch, but Agnes would strikeout the side without any damage.
The Saints would crack the scoreboard first as Gage Wherley drew a one out walk and proceeded to steal 2nd base. After Wright struck out looking, Chase Feller drove in Wherley with an RBI single to left with Feller advancing to 2nd when the ball scooted past the left fielder, giving Butz all the run support needed.
Both starting pitchers would continue to mow down hitters at an alarming rate as the score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the 6th. Dustin Mertz led off the 6th with a single. A.J. Casario then grounded out to the 2nd baseman as Mertz, who was running on the pitch, moved from 1st to 3rd on the play. With Avery Bennefeld at the plate, Agnes uncorked a wild pitch allowing Mertz to score.
Besides Butz dominating on the mound, the offense was led by Feller with two hits. Wright, Mertz, Bennefeld, Jesse Johnson and Aaron Schuster all had one hit for the Saints. Wright also stole two bases and Wherley stole a base as well.
Agnes was the hard luck loser for the Indies as he also went the distance, giving up two earned runs on seven hits, with one walk and a hit batter along with his 17 strikeouts. Duchscherer, Lyons, and Zach Michaelson had the only three hits for the Indies.
As part of the pregame festivities for Valley City Eagles Night, Valley City Eagles President Dusty Polk, along with Eagles members Chris Kopp and Leonard Miller threw out the ceremonial first pitch. All three members received a ball along with an autographed baseball signed by all the Valley City Saints players that’ll be displayed at the Valley City Eagles Club.
The Valley City Saints improved to 10-3 overall and are off until Sunday, July 11th when they host the Fargo Mets with the first pitch at 5:00 PM. Every Sunday home game this season is Kids Day at the ballpark, so the Saints would like to encourage fans to come out and support the best and hottest amateur baseball team in North Dakota.
The Indies drop to 4-2 overall as their next action will also be on July 11th as they travel to take on the Fargo Crows.
The Saints would also like to wish Reed Butz the best of luck as he has signed with the Minnesota Mud Puppies of the Northwoods League for the remainder of the season and would like to thank him for his contribution with the Saints. We also would like to thank our super fan Chris Kopp for cheering us on. Chris has not missed a Saints home game this season and as part of his loyalty, received a signed ball from all the Saints players after the game last night.