Post 14 takes down Regina
Jamestown Post 14 found what it needed to work its way out of its slump — an eight-run inning. Jamestown, one day after dropping a pair of games to Minot, rallied for eight runs in the sixth inning against Regina to seal a 12-5 victory in its opening game of the Jamestown American Legion baseball tournament at Jack Brown Stadium.
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Jamestown Post 14 found what it needed to work its way out of its slump — an eight-run inning.
Jamestown, one day after dropping a pair of games to Minot, rallied for eight runs in the sixth inning against Regina to seal a 12-5 victory in its opening game of the Jamestown American Legion baseball tournament at Jack Brown Stadium.
“It was good, really good,” said Jamestown coach Shane Schoeneberg. “It’s nice to see we’re starting to hit the ball and hopefully getting back into a groove.”
Post 14 (12-22) sent 12 batters to the plate in the bottom of the sixth and had eight different players score after entering the inning clinging to a slim 4-3 lead.
Jordan Piatz led off the frame with his second hit of the game, a single to right field, and back-to-back walks set up Danny Fischer to drive in two runs with a double that reached the right field ivy.
Fischer’s two-bagger put Post 14 up 6-3 but Brandon Gange continued to pour on the offense as he stroked a two-run single to center to give Jamestown two more runs to work with.
“It was a big win because we have regionals coming up next weekend and it’s good to go in with some momentum,” Gange said.
Gange was thrown out trying to advance to third after an errant throw to home but Ian Hogan quickly got Jamestown back on track with a solo home run over the right-center fence.
“They were self motivated,” Schoeneberg said. “They said, ‘Let’s put them away. Let’s not be satisfied with a one-run lead.’ Then they went out and put up an eight spot.”
Piatz drove in one more and Dakotah Walker capped off the inning with a two-run single to right to put Jamestown up 12-3 after six.
“It gave us some room to work with,” Gange said of the explosive inning. “It’s easier for the pitcher and it lets the defense work.”
Regina wasn’t done yet, however, but the surge came too little, too late.
Tyler McWhirter led off the inning with a solo shot to deep right-center and Tyler Folk scored on a dropped ball in the outfield, but the two runs were nowhere near enough to extend the game into the bottom of the seventh.
“This is the time we need to start picking it up and winning ball games,” said Schoeneberg. “It’s nice to win but we really want to build momentum coming into tourney time.”
Piatz made his return to the mound and did everything he was asked as he earned the win after going five innings allowing just three runs, two earned, on three hits.
“Jordan Piatz hadn’t pitched in a long time. He came down to the ballpark early today to work one some stuff — work on his off-speed (pitches),” Schoeneberg said. “He went out and threw really well.”
Piatz threw 100 pitches and was then relieved by Dakotah Walker in the sixth after Jamestown had taken its first lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth.
Tennessee Fafard started on the hill for Regina and suffered the loss after going 4 1-3 innings allowing four runs on five hits and two walks.
Fafard had a 3-2 lead heading into the fourth but the top of Jamestown’s order chased him off the mound after two singles.
Brady Anderson drove in Gange for the go-ahead run on a single to right field and from there Jamestown never relinquished its lead.
“We just came out and hit the ball well,” said Gange. “We were seeing (the ball) pretty well.”
Gange finished 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. Ian Hogan had a pair of RBIs after going 2 for 4 including his home run, while Walker drove in two after going 1 for 3 at the plate. Danny Fischer went 1 for 4 with two RBIs.
Jamestown will meet up with Regina again today at 3 p.m. and follow up with an 8 p.m. contest with Coon Rapids. Post 14 will then conclude the tournament with a 10 a.m. match-up with Saskatoon on Sunday.
Regina (21-11) will open Saturday play with a 9 a.m. contest against Mandan and finish with Coon Rapids on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
“We’re looking to keep this going throughout the weekend and then continue it into next weekend,” said Gange.
Jamestown American Legion tournament
At Jack Brown Stadium
Jamestown 12, Regina 5
Regina 200 010 2 — 5 5 3
Jamestown 011 028 X — 12 12 3
Tennessee Fafard, Max Ritz (5), Troy Murray (6) and Kyle Gimas. Jordan Piatz, Dakotah Walker (6) and Brady Anderson. W—Piatz. L—Fafard. S—Walker. 2B: REG—Tyler Folk; JAM—Brandon Gange, Piatz, Danny Fischer. HR: REG—Tyler McWhirter; JAM—Ian Hogan.
Records: Regina, (21-11), Jamestown 12-22.
Sun sports writer David Griswold can be reached at (701) 952-8462 or by email at dgriswold@jamestownsun.com
Tags: legion baseball, sports
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