Kary’s bunt scores 2 go-ahead runs as Dickinson tops Bismarck

• James Kary

Press Photo by Royal McGregor Dickinson High junior James Kary lays down a bunt in the sixth inning against Bismarck High on Friday at Southside Municipal Ballpark. The bunt led to two Dickinson go-ahead runs. Kary had four RBI and pitched a complete game to take the win at the mound.

Talk about it

Dickinson High head baseball coach Pete Dobitz said to his players, “You guys are thinking too much. Just play the game of baseball.”

Those words of encouragement seemed to resonate with players as the Midgets overcame an early deficit to defeat Bismarck High 6-3 in the West Region game and won the second game 7-4 for the sweep Friday at Southside Municipal Ballpark.

“It was nice to get a win on our turf,” Dobitz said. “I like the fact that we were behind and able to come back, it means a little bit more.”

Dickinson’s main component in the region win was pitcher James Kary. The junior, who goes to Beach High School, went the distance on the mound and helped himself at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and four RBIs.

“I knew I had to throw strikes, change speeds and throw my curveball for a strike,” Kary said. “They’re a solid hitting team and they’ve proved it all year. You have to keep them off balance. That’s the big thing.”

The Demons (12-6, 4-4 West) gained the early advantage in the second inning, scoring three runs. Senior Andrew Dill, who was the opposing pitcher, started off the inning with a single and later scored on a Tanner Hegre RBI single. The Demons tacked on two more runs.

“One of the things that we really stress is two-strike hitting,” Bismarck head coach Matt Power said. “We’ve been a lot better with that as far as hitting with two strikes and putting the ball in play.”

Dill threw five innings, allowing four runs and striking out six. The senior got into trouble in the third inning when Kary knocked a two-out, two-RBI double to right center. Mason Schiff followed up with a RBI single to right.

“We can’t go up there and think with one swing and get three runs,” Dobitz said. “You’ve got to trust your teammates that they are going to come through.”

The Midgets (8-6, 5-2 West) added some run support in the sixth inning when Kary laid down a two-run, go-ahead bunt.

Kary took full advantage of the defense as the first baseman had committed to the bunt, leaving the bag wide open. After a throw by the third baseman sailed past first, Kary found himself on second base with no one out.

“The funny part is I’m not really a bunter,” Kary said with a laugh. “He (coach Dobitz) put the bunt sign down and I knew if I got it down the third baseline, I would have a good chance. It just happened to work out perfectly.”

Jon Wanner pinch ran for Kary and stole third base. Schiff knocked in his second RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly to deep center.

Kary, who threw in the Midgets’ home opener against Jamestown on April 20 for a loss, settled down and got into a groove to finish out the game.

“He really buckled down and he’s going to be one of our horses all year,” Dobitz said.

In the nonconference game, the Midgets used a four-run fourth inning to break a 3-3 tie.

Cole Anderson pitched three innings, allowing four hits and three runs on 27 pitches for Dickinson.

Skabo came on in relief to pitch the fourth for the win. He also went 2-for-3 with two triples, a RBI and two runs.

Taking the loss was Kole Bauer. Zach Schuchard led the offense with a triple and two RBIs.

The Midgets have a big matchup at 11 a.m. today against Bismarck Century, the No. 1 team in the West Region.

“It will be a good benchmark to see where we are at,” Dobitz said.

Bismarck 030 000 0 — 3 3 4

Dickinson 003 030 x — 6 5 1

Andrew Dill, Austen Stewart (5) and . James Kary and Brady Dutchak. W–Kary (3-1). L–Dill. HR–None.

Highlights: B, Tanner Hegre 1-for-3, RBI, run; Jared Spooner 1-for-3, run; Dill 1-for-3, run SB; Ben Hildestad 1-for-3; Kole Bauer 1-for-2; Zach Schuchard 0-for-2, RBI; Brandon Gieszler 0-for-3, RBI. D, Kary 3-for-4, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 runs; Mason Schiff 1-for-2, 2 RBI; Brett Schweitzer 1-for-2; Taylor Thiel 0-for-1, 2 BB, 2 runs; Korey Kallenbach 0-for-1, 2 runs.

Bismarck 003 01 — 4 5 2

Dickinson 111 4x — 7 10 4

Kole Bauer and Tanner Bittner. Cole Anderson, Skabo (4), Jon Wanner (5) and Mark Erickson. W–Skabo (1-1). L–Bauer. HR–None.

Highlights: B, Schuchard 1-for-3, 3B, 2 RBI; Bauer 1-for-3, Quinn Irey 1-for-3, RBI. D, Skabo 2-for-3, 2 3B, RBI, 2 runs; Kallenbach 1-for-2, 2 RBI, Anderson 3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 27 P.

Records:Dickinson 8-6, 5-2 West, Bismarck 12-6, 4-4.

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