Down to the wire: Bismarck plates winning run in the 10th to defeat Post 14

Opportunity was everywhere Thursday at Jack Brown Stadium.

But it was Bismarck that took advantage in the final inning, scoring a run in the top of the 10th and holding Jamestown Post 14 scoreless in the bottom half to take a 9-8 Legion victory. Because of extra innings, the second game didn’t make press time.

Hunter Walsh finished 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and three runs batted in for the Governors, who were an out away from defeat in the seventh.

“There seemed to be baserunners all over the place,” said Bismarck coach Mike Skytland, whose team stranded 12 runners to Jamestown’s 14. “You hope to have the type of kids that are gonna fight till the end.”

Austin Zorn singled to lead off the top of the 10th, but two quick outs made it appear like Jamestown might get out of trouble unscathed. However, Andrew Dill also reached on an error, allowing Zorn to cross home plate for the winning run.

Bismarck reliever Jordan Kenner walked Brady Anderson and gave up a single to Kasey Gengler to start the bottom half, but Kenner buckled down and got three outs in a row for the win.

“Jordan hasn’t thrown much this summer,” Skytland said. “It was a great outing by him.”

Jamestown coach Shane Schoeneberg was pleased with the effort, but said a few more timely hits would have helped.

“Just getting big hits with runners in scoring position,” Schoeneberg said. “We’re gonna take a lot of positives out of it. We need to be able to close the door. But we battled back and had a chance. Just needed one big hit.”

Jamestown’s Jake Stilwell singled in the bottom of the sixth to score Riley Schafer, but Bismarck’s right fielder overran the ball, allowing Kasey Gengler to score from second. Stilwell, on his way to third, watched the right fielder’s throw sail past the pitching mound and into the visitor’s dugout. By rule, Stilwell was allowed to score on the error.

Trailing 7-4 in the seventh, Bismarck leadoff Cole Winbauer reached on an error and Austin Zorn followed with a single. But Preston Tescher grounded into a double play, though Winbauer did score from third to cut the deficit to two runs at 7-5.

Ahead by two with two outs on the board, Jamestown looked in control. But that was far from the case, as Tyler Richter singled and Dill reached on error. Kenner followed with a base hit and Walsh doubled to tie the game at seven and send it into extra innings.

Jamestown starter Joey Gebhardt kept his squad competitive with quality innings. Bismarck hit the ball hard all day, but Gebhardt kept the Governors at bay by pitching to contact.

“I thought Joey had his best outing,” Schoeneberg said. “That kid has a good head on his shoulders. He’s got a bright future.”

Jamestown was led at the plate by Stilwell, who finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Kasey Gengler also had three hits, and Shaun Hogan was 2-for-6.

Coon Rapids, Minn., plays Williston at Jack Brown Stadium at 5:30 p.m. Jamestown is set to play Coon Rapids approximately 20 minutes after.

Bismarck 9, Jamestown 8

Bismarck 020 200 301 1 - 9 17 4

Jamestown 002 023 001 0 - 8 12 3

Alex Bray, Jordan Kenner (6) and Preston Tescher. Joey Gebhardt, Jake Stilwell (7) and Shaun Hogan.

W-Kenner. L-Stilwell.

Highlights: B, Hunter Walsh 3-5, 3 RBIs, 2 2Bs, 2 R, Austin Zorn 3-6, R, Trenton Bohan 2-4, walk, 2 RBIs. J, Jake Stilwell 3-5, 2 RBIs, Kasey Gengler 3-5, 2 R, Shaun Hogan 2-6.

Sun sports writer Chris Aarhus can be reached at (701) 952-8462 or by email at caarhus@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, legion, baseball