Wilmont edges Windom, Heron Lake wins a pair (amateur baseball)

WILMONT — Windom nearly improved to 3-0 on the season Sunday afternoon, but with a run in the bottom of the ninth inning, the host Wilmont Cardinals handed the Pirates their first loss of the year, 3-2, in an interleague amateur baseball clash at Butts Probst Field.

The Cardinals (3-0) trailed most of the game, as the Pirates (2-1) grabbed a 2-0 lead after four innings.

Windom hit the Cardinals early, scoring in the top of the first inning. Following a Nick Ahrens strikeout of lead-off batter Brent Fredin, the Pirates’ Travis Karschnik and Kody Johnson hit back-to-back singles and advanced to second and third base, respectively, on a fly by Kirby Johnson. With two outs, Cody Anderson slapped a single to right, scoring Karschnik to give the Pirates a 1-0 advantage.

A double to left by Windom’s Jeff Karschnik put the Pirates in business again in the top of the fourth. A sacrifice bunt by Jeremy Lund moved Jeff Karschnik to third, where he was knocked in moments later on a single up the middle by Tyler Knutson — giving Windom a 2-0 edge.

But the never-say-die Cardinals pulled even in the bottom of the seventh inning.

An error at shortstop allowed lead-off hitter Brett Wiltrout to gain first base. Ethan Noble followed with a double to right field and the Cardinals had a pair of runners in scoring position.

The Pirates looked as though they’d get out of the inning unscathed, as reliever Kirby Johnson recorded two quick strikeouts. But Wilmont second baseman Brian Harberts delivered a two-out single to right, scoring both runners to tie the contest at 2-all.

Neither team made a strong move in the eighth and Wilmont closer Justin Saufley shut down the Pirates in the top of the ninth — setting up a dramatic finish.

A one-out walk to Jeremy Irlbeck, a single up the middle by Troy Appel and a walk to Harberts loaded the bases for Aaron Johnson. The Wilmont first baseman promptly stepped up and sliced a single to right for the game-winner.

The Cardinals will visit the Fairmont Martins Friday, while the Pirates host the Martins and the Pipestone A’s on Sunday.

R H E

Win. 100 100 000 — 2 10 1

Wil. 000 000 201 — 3 7 3

Heron Lake 7, Fox Lake 5

HERON LAKE — Matt Franks pitched seven solid innings and the Lakers posted 11 hits in beating the Foxes Sunday afternoon in interleague amateur baseball action.

Franks allowed two earned runs on 10 hits while striking out eight and walking none for the Lakers (2-5).

Rob Larson suffered the loss for the Foxes, giving up four earned runs on six hits while striking out two and walking one over 1 2/3 innings.

Tyler Leopold was 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI for HL. Jerrad Meinders was 2-for-2 with a run and a walk, while Trevor Leopold was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Tony Jorgensen was 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored, and Keith Rogers stole a pair of bases.

R H E

FL 021 020 0 — 5 10 3

HL 000 223 X — 7 11 2

Heron Lake 5, Tracy 4

HERON LAKE — Alex Leopold allowed three earned runs on six hits while striking out four and walking one in five innings of relief to earn the victory on the bump for the Lakers.

Luke Walling suffered the loss for the Express, giving up one earned run on two hits in the ninth inning.

Ike Rogers delivered the final blow for the Lakers with an RBI double in the ninth to score the game-winner.

Steve Majerus was 2-for-3 for the Lakers with a run and RBI. Trevor Leopold was 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI, while Meinders was 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Lucas Knutson also had an RBI for the Lakers, who visit Hadley on Sunday.

R H E

Tra. 100 012 000 — 4 10 3

HL 010 300 001 — 5 8 2

Tags: sports, windom, wilmont, heron, lake, fox, lake, tracy, amateur, baseball