Defending champs survive challenge from 'Sox

The oft-used sports phrase "a game of inches" certainly came into play in the SNR Black Sox Babe Ruthers' final at-bat on the second day of the Class B Tournament at the Rough Rider Center in Watford City.

Down 3-2 in the top of the seventh to the LaMoure A's with two outs and Connor Knatterud at first base, Johnny Grann hit a sinking line drive to deep left center.

A few inches in front or to the left, and it would have resulted in a tie game, and maybe even a lead if the ball got past to the fence with Grann's foot speed.

Instead, LaMoure center fielder Cyle Warcken made an acrobatic game-saving stop to end the game and enable the incumbent Class B champions to stay in the winner's bracket, but not without a spirited fight from SNR.

"It might have been one of, if not the most ridiculous endings to a baseball game I've ever seen," said Head Coach Seth Soderholm.

For this game against the talented A's lineup, Soderholm went to team ace Alex Harrison (pictured at left), of the 9-0 regular season record and sub-1.00 ERA, and the summer addition from Arizona did not disappoint. Harrison would pitch admirably in keeping the Black Sox within reach of one of the state's best teams, holding LaMoure to five hits and one earned run, walking one and striking out eight A's on the evening.

Opposing hurler Anthony Hanson was equally as effective, setting down nine Sox batters on strikes and giving up four hits.

LaMoure drew first blood in the bottom of the second on Connor Johnson's single to score Tate Mart, who reached third on two SNR errors.

The fielding issues which hurt the 'Sox in their previous game came back to haunt them, and at inopportune times, said Soderholm.

"All their runs came off errors somehow," he said, "and they all hurt us."

Soderholm's club tied the score in the top of the third when Grann came around to score on Kaden Jensen's RBI double.

LaMoure scored two crucial runs in the fourth. Mart, the second hitter of the evening, found the gap for a triple, and later scored on a fielder's choice from Colten Ness.

Johnson beat out a potential double-play ball later in the inning, and would come across with the A's third run on a misfired pickoff attempt of Hanson at first base. Hanson would be thrown out at third on the play, but the damage was done.

In the top of the fifth, SNR got one back after Grann's triple was followed by a Jensen sacrifice fly to make it 3-2.

Grann's two hits and two runs led the Black Sox. Caden Price had the other hit for SNR.

For LaMoure, Landon Piehl had a double, and Warcken also added a hit. The A's would take third, getting bounced by Casselton 8-0 in the final day of play to finish 28-7.

State Class B Babe Ruth Baseball Tournament,

Watford City

Saturday, July 27

Winner's Bracket

LaMoure 3, SNR 2

SNR 001 010 0 - 2 4 4

LaM. 010 200 x - 3 5 0

Alex Harrison and Koby Duda; Anthony Hanson, Connor Johnson (7) and Garret Hebl. W - Hanson. L - Harrison. SV - Johnson.

SNR: Johnny Grann 2-3, triple, 2 runs; Kaden Jensen 1-2, double, 2 RBI; Caden Price 1-3; Harrison CG, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K.

LaMoure: Hanson 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 9 K; 1-3; Tate Mart 1-3, triple, 2 runs; Landon Piehl 1-3, double; Johnson 1-3, run, RBI; Cyle Warcken 1-3; Colten Ness RBI.