Morris Legion finds fifth inning "mo," wins

The Morris Legion baseball team used a big inning, the fifth, to get out of a hole and eventually prevail in Thursday home action. The big six-run rally in the fifth propelled the Post #29 squad to an eventual 8-3 win over Benson at Chizek Field.
It was the eleventh season triumph for Post #29 and gives the squad some cushion over .500. Their loss total coming out of the day was seven. They scored eight runs on eight hits and committed two errors. The Benson line score was 3-6-2.
The first three innings were scoreless. Then Morris took a short-lived lead with one run in the bottom of the fourth. Benson got untracked with a three-run rally in the fifth that gave them the 3-1 advantage.
Then Post #29 got the skids greased with that decisive outburst in the bottom of that frame. Key hits in that outburst were off the bats of Tyler Hansen and Brady Valnes, each with a single that plated two runs.
Morris scored its final run in the sixth.
Dustin Sauter supplied his usual punch at the plate with a double as part of his two-for-four showing. Dustin drove in one run. Tyler Hansen was the other multiple-hit achiever for Post #29 and he went two-for-four while drive in two runs and scoring two.
Ryan Beyer tripled and scored two runs. Brady Valnes accumulated three RBIs while going one-for-three. Travis Rinkenberger finished at one-for-three and Cole Riley one-for-two.
For Benson, Cameron Simmonds stood out with his double good for driving in two runs in that team's most impressive rally (that three-run fifth). Simmonds had two hits in the boxscore. The following Benson batters all went one-for-three: Carter Fennell, Kyle Pederson, Brennan Kent and Anthony Frank.
Nate Gades and Eric Riley handled the Post #29 pitching. Gades picked up the win with his five innings of work in which he struck out six batters and walked none. Nate gave up six hits and three runs (all earned).
Eric Riley hurled for two innings and set down three batters on strikes while walking none. He allowed no hits and no runs.
For Benson Legion baseball, Brennan Kent worked the whole way on the hill. Brennan gave up seven hits and eight runs (six earned) while striking out three batters and walking two.
Morris Post #29 aims to put some more distance over .500 on its mark as the season approaches the playoffs. The firepower in the bats promotes optimism.
-Brian Williams - morris mn Minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com