Govs score late, downs Riders

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BISMARCK — The Dickinson Roughriders are close.

They just need that little extra something.

Bismarck held a one-run lead heading into the eighth inning and tacked on three insurance runs en route to a 6-4 win over Dickinson in an American Legion nine-inning baseball game on Wednesday.

“We battled back,” Dickinson head coach Cory Hansen said. “We just fell short again.”

The Roughriders were able to respond in the ninth inning, loading the bases and scoring two runs. Dickinson needed a bases-loaded hit to open up the game, but it didn’t come.

“We battled up at the plate and got a couple runs,” Hansen said. “We were trying to get one big hit and we just couldn’t get it.”

After struggling this season, Hansen said it’s important to keep the players’ confidence up, even when it’s not reflecting on the scoreboard or win column.

“We just need to stay positive and if we get into that situation again that we’ll get that hit,” he said. “We’ll continue to work hard in practice. We always give ourselves a chance to win the ballgame.”

Mason Schiff started the game for the Roughriders, allowing three runs in five innings and was tagged with the loss. Sean Kelly came on in relief to throw the final three innings.

Alec Grothe started the game for the Governors, throwing six innings and allowing two runs. Alex Bray took over for the final three innings.

Dickinson’s Taylor Kraenzel has been a swinging a hot bat lately and went 2-for-5 with a RBI and run. James Kary added two hits and a run.

For Bismarck, Preston Tescher, Andrew Dill and Trent Bohan each had multiple hits.

Dickinson continues play with a nine-inning game against Mandan starting at 7 p.m. today.

“We’re going to get some guys some work in and stick with our regulation rotation,” Hansen said. “We’re just going to work some kinks out and focus on the fundamentals.”

Dickinson 000 002 002 — 4 6 0

Bismarck 021 000 03x — 6 9 1

Mason Schiff, Sean Kelly (6) and Brady Dutchak. Alec Grothe, Alex Bray (6) and Preston Tescher. W–Grothe. L–Schiff. HR–None.

Highlights: D, Dylan Skabo RBI; Mark Erickson H; Taylor Kraenzel 2-for-4, RBI, R; James Kary 2-for-5, R; Brett Braunagel H, RBI; Alex Huschka RBI; Schiff R; Dutchak R. B, Cole Winbauer H, R; Austin Zorn R; Tescher 2-for-4; Tyler Richter H; Andrew Dill 2-for-3, R; Jordan Kenner R; Hunter Walsh 3B, 2 RBIs, R; Trent Bohan 2-for-4, RBI, R.

Tags: american legion baseball, dickinson roughriders, bismarck governors, sports, baseball