Offensive output
There was no shortage of offensive power in the opening game of an American Legion baseball doubleheader between the Dickinson Roughriders and Grand Forks Royals on Wednesday evening.By: Royal McGregor, The Dickinson Press
- Mark Erickson
There was no shortage of offensive power in the opening game of an American Legion baseball doubleheader between the Dickinson Roughriders and Grand Forks Royals on Wednesday evening.
The two teams combined for 28 runs on 24 hits.
On the scoreboard and in the win column, the Royals came out ahead with 15-13 and 4-1 wins on Wednesday at the Southside Municipal Ballpark.
“We had chances in both games to get it done,” Dickinson head coach Cory Hansen said. “We want to be within striking distance. It’s really disappointing. We are finding ways to beat ourselves.
“I don’t mind if the other team gets hits, but we cannot beat ourselves. That’s the one thing we can’t do.”
Grand Forks’ big bat might have come from an unlikely place — the No. 9 spot. Kaden Monette bashed two home runs both against Dickinson reliever Mickey Folske. Monette supplied four RBIs.
“We knew they were going to be a good team and we knew it was going to be a battle,” Monette said. “It was and we played well. I’m not really a home run hitter. I just got the pitches a liked.”
Other than Monette, Folske was able to keep the other Grand Forks hitters at bay. He skated through three innings of work and went 1-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs.
“My stuff wasn’t there all the way,” Folske said. “At least I got some off balance, but that No. 9 hitter just got to me.”
Mason Schiff started the game for the Roughriders, but was relieved by Folske after giving up four runs in the first inning. Aaron Berg pitched one-third of an inning and Luke Herauf finished out the game with the 2 2/3 innings.
Dickinson’s offensive inning was in the fourth when it plated eight runs on eight hits and two Grand Forks errors. In the top of the fifth, the Royals bounced right back with seven runs.
“It feels good,” Monette said. “We put up a lot runs against a good team like this.”
It was a battle down to the wire, but the Roughriders just didn’t have enough to hold for the win. Grand Forks tacked on a run in both the sixth and seventh innings to hold onto the lead.
“We hit the ball hard,” Folske said. “The defense wasn’t all the way there. I know we can play better than that and hopefully we can show that the rest of the season.”
In the nightcap, Dickinson’s Alex Huschka threw all seven innings, allowing four unearned runs while being tagged with loss. Three of the runs were scored in the first inning on a throwing error.
“I’m very happy with the way Alex pitched,” Hansen said. “That’s what we expect out of him.”
With the sun setting and the cool, night air coming out, Dickinson’s bats cooled off. The Roughriders only mustered three hits and one run.
The main culprit in shutting the bats down was Blake Kemnitz, who had streaks of seven and 11 consecutive retired batters.
Dickinson heads to Miles City, Mont., for the Harry Griffith Wood Bat Classic that starts at 7 p.m. today. The Roughriders start the tournament against Miles City.
“Hopefully, we can keep building some momentum and by state get it all together,” Hansen said.
GF 400 271 1 — 15 11 3
Dickinson 020 821 0 — 13 13 4
Taylor Steen, Danny Palmisono (4) , Blake Kemnitz (6) and Palmisono and Steen. Mason Schiff, Mickey Folske (2), Aaron Berg (5), Luke Herauf (5) and Brady Dutchak. W– Palmisono. L–Folske. HR–Kaden Monette 2.
Highlights: GF, Monette 2-for-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 runs; Grant Campbell 3-for-5, 3B, RBI; Gage Salquist 3-for-5, 2B, RBI; Zach Mahoney 2-for-5, 2 RBI. D, Korey Kallenbach 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 2B; Alex Huschka 4-for-5, 2B; James Kary 2-for-5, 2 RBI; Folske 1-for-2, 2 RBI.
GF 301 000 0 — 4 8 0
Dickinson 000 000 1 — 1 3 4
Kemnitz and Steen. Alex Huschka and Mark Erickson. W–Kemnitz. L–Huschka. HR–None.
Highlights: GF, Mitchell Anderson 3-for-4, 2B; Steen 1-for-4, 2B, run; Campbell 1-for-3; Moe 1-for-4, RBI; Bryce Hill 1-for-3; Monette 1-for-3, 2B. D, Kary 1-for-3, run; Huschka 1-for-3, 2B; Berg 1-for-2.
Records: GF 14-5, 7-1 statewide. D 5-13, 2-9
Tags: dickinson roughriders, american legion baseball, grand forks royals, sports
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