BISMARCK -- Dickinson High pitchers Michael Steve and Stephen Laylock switched gears Monday afternoon against Bismarck High.
The result couldn't have been better as the Midgets claimed a 4-1 West Region baseball victory.
Steve, who usually comes in as a closer, allowed seven hits and one run in 5Zc innings as the starter and Laylock got him out of a jam in the sixth by forcing Bismarck, which had the bases loaded, to ground out into a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning.
Laylock ended the game in the seventh by forcing another double play and was awarded the save, his first of the season. Steve struck out four and walked two.
The switch was an interesting one for the Midgets. Laylock is one of the team's top starters while Steve has relished as Dickinson's closing pitcher this season.
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"I was teasing them, saying everybody wants to get into that closer role," Midgets coach Pete Dobitz said. "That's still Michael Steve's baby, he's going to be our closer."
The game was tied 1-1 going into the fifth when Andy Tomanek, who went 4-for-4 in the doubleheader, led off the inning with a single.
"We're going to need that come the end of the year here," Dobitz said.
Three batters later, after Laylock was hit by a pitch, Cole Frenzel nailed a double that sent home Tomanek.
On the next at-bat, Ben Herauf had a base hit to score both Laylock and Frenzel, giving the Midgets a three-run lead and the momentum heading into the final innings.
Tyrel Gion pitched a three-hitter but the Midgets gave up two unearned runs as Bismarck claimed a 2-1 victory in the nonconference portion of the doubleheader.
Frenzel had two doubles and drove in a run in the second game.
The Midgets host Bismarck St. Mary's in a West Region game at 4:30 p.m. today at Southside Municipal Ballpark.
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Dickinson High 4, Bismarck High 1
Dickinson 001 030 0 -- 4 9 1
Bismarck 001 000 0 -- 1 8 1
Michael Steve, Stephan Laylock (6) and Dan Berg. Jon Hausauer, Jacob Hruby (6) and Tyler Johnson. W-Steve. L-Hausauer. S-Laylock (1).
Highlights: D, Steve 2B; Andy Tomanak 2-for-2, 2B. B, Andrew Seeberg 2B; Will Aide 2-for-3.
Bismarck High 2, Dickinson High 1
Dickinson 100 00 -- 1 3 2
Bismarck 100 1x -- 2 3 1
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Tyrel Gion and Alex Schiff. Tom Law and Sam Ingemansen. W-Law L-Gion.
Highlights: D, Tomanak 2-for-2, Cole Frenzel 2B. B, Law 5 IP, 5 SO, 3 BB, 3 H, 0 ER.
Records: Dickinson 21-7, 14-2 West. Bismarck 4-12, 4-11 West.
