KINDRED, N.D. (NewsDakota.com)-For the first time in 8 years The Enderlin-Maple Valley baseball team will play in The Class B State Baseball tournament. The Falcons beat Kindred-Richland twice Monday night to clinch The Region 1 championship.
They took the first game 5-1 behind a complete game from Chance Bye. In their clinching game they held off a late run from The Vikings to get the 8-5 win. Bye was also on the mound in game 2 pitching the final 2.2 innings,he struck out Matt Freier looking for the final out.
Head coach Kevin Bratland told his pitching staff that Monday night will be all hands on deck and felt Bye answered the call
As the 4th seed in Region 1, EMV needed to win 4 games to clinch a berth to state. They also beat LaMoure-Litchville/Marion and top seeded Oakes. From their first games this season in Florida to last win over Kindred coach Bratland said the run has been a team effort
The Falcons will now wait to see where they fall for next week’s state tournament, the bracket will be released later this week after all the region champions are crowned. Class B will be play at Jack Brown Stadium in Jamestown May 31st thru June 2nd.
Game 1: EMV 5 vs. Kindred/Richland 1
Viking starter Sawyer Rolland was perfect through the first 10 batters he faced. Bye broke up the no hit bid the 4th with a single and eventually scored on wild pitch. The Falcons added 3 runs in the 5th and led 4-0 before Kindred/Richland scored in the 6th.
Bye went all 7 innings with 6 strike outs, he scattered 4 hits with one walk. He was also stellar at the plate going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI. Brandon Utke produced an RBI. Devin Houska drove in Kindred’s lone run.
Game 2: EMV 8 vs. Kindred/Richland 5
Kindred took a quick 1-0 lead scoring in the first. The Falcons answered back with 7 runs. Down 7-1 The Vikings exploded for a 4 run 5th and pulled within 2 runs.
Looking for insurance Dustin Kasowski drilled a solo home run in the bottom of the 6th to keep the game out of reach.
Kasowski and Bye each had 3 RBI for the Falcons.
