Morris Legion team scores often in wins

Runs weren't scarce for the Morris American Legion baseball team (Post #29) in triumphs this past week.

Morris 18, Brandon-Evansville 5
The high water mark was on Thursday when the Post #29 boys won with ease over Brandon-Evansville. Morris took control in a big second inning in which eight runs came home for them. The squad batted around as twelve batters total brought their sticks to the batters box.
The 8-0 advantage that Morris owned when the dust cleared might have been enough. The boys stayed focused and accomplished a repeat of that rally in the third frame. This time a total of 15 Morris batters came up to bat in a rally that generated nine runs.
The score stood 17-0 and when the game was completed (abbreviated by the ten-run rule), the score was 18-5. Morris upped its record to 6-3 with this road success.
Dustin Sauter was in the groove with four runs-batted-in. Dustin came at Brandon-Evansville with three hits as did mates Brady Valnes and Mitch Kill. The Morris line score showed 18 runs on 13 hits and three errors.
Eric Riley made a big statement with his bat, connecting for a triple that drove in three runs. This offensive clinic also included a two-RBI double by Nate Gades in the third frame.
A lot of familiar names from the spring MAHS baseball campaign are surfacing in the Morris Legion baseball summer. Like Tyler Hansen, who scored two runs and connected for a hit. Nate Gades finished with two-for-three numbers including a double, plus he crossed home plate twice and drove in three runs.
Mitch Kill was a sizzling three-for-four including a double, plus he scored three runs. Brady Valnes went three-for-four with one of his hits a double, and he drove in two runs. Dustin Sauter led the charge in the boxscore at three-for-five, two runs and four ribbies. Eric Riley stole two bases to go with his triple, three runs scored and three RBIs.
Phil Krueger had two hits for the host Brandon-Evansville squad.
Three pitchers worked for Morris and it was Nate Gades getting the win with a stint of three innings. Nate struck out two batters, walked none and allowed two hits and zero runs.
Brady Valnes and Dustin Sauter each had his pitching arm called on for one inning. Brady gave up five runs but none were earned. He gave up three hits. Dustin set down two batters on strikes, walked one and gave up one hit and zero runs.

Morris 9, Clinton 1
The Monday story had the Post #29 crew excelling at home, disposing of Clinton 9-1 at Chizek Field. They spread out their run-scoring more than in the B-E game.
They scored in every inning but one, taking advantage of frequent Clinton lapses in the field.
Fielding was indeed a huge factor in the outcome, as Morris committed zero errors compared to Clinton's seven.
Morris was able to score its nine runs without knocking the cover off the ball. Morris finished with six hits compared to Clinton's five. Seven walks buoyed the Post #29 cause further.
Alex Erickson had a hit in his only at-bat. Tyler Hansen socked a double, drove in a run and score three. Dustin Sauter turned on the jets to steal two bases, plus he doubled and scored two runs. Ryan Beyer stroked a double.
Cole Riley had an RBI as part of going one-for-three, and Nate Gades finished one-for-two.
Logan Nordley had two hits for Clinton.
Three pitchers got work for Morris and it was Nate Gades getting the win with his stint of two innings. Nate fanned three batters. Alex Erickson also hurled for two innings and he racked up four strikeouts. Travis Rinkenberger fanned two batters and walked one in his two-inning assignment.
Jesse Weick was the losing pitcher.
Morris got going in the first inning with three runs scored and followed that up with one each in the second through fourth innings and three in the sixth.
Fans are anticipating a lot more offense-colored games as Post #29 strives for more victories in the 2010 summer.
-Brian Williams - morris mn Minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com