Black Sox flip the tables on Owls

It was a close one at Legion Ball Park as the Sox took on the Nelson County Owls on Wednesday, June 17. Both teams seemed evenly matched as the first couple of innings were defensively dominated. Neither team could get it going or get on bases. In the third inning is when the Owls seemed to come out on top with four runs and continued to keep the Sox from scoring at the bottom of the third.

As the game continued, hope for the Black Sox diminished as they were unable to get players onto the bases due to Nelson County's relentless defense. The fourth and fifth innings were scoreless, and the Owls kept their hefty four-run lead going into the final two innings.

At the top of the sixth inning, the Sox had made some great defensive plays with three outs in a row coming by caught balls in the outfield and quick thinking to tag players out. At the bottom of the sixth was the last chance the Black Sox had to get something going. It all started off with Kaden Jensen who was able to get to first off his line drive toward center field. Then a trio of seniors–Bo Belquist, Nathan Holzwarth and Hunter Thompson– took advantage of Jensen's great run. Belquist hit a line drive left to the outfield, the Owls panicked and tried to throw it to second base, but it was overthrown allowing Jensen and Belquist to get to second and third base.

Holzwarth then hit a line drive to the middle of the field which Nelson County overthrew again, and both Jensen and Belquist scored. Thompson didn't disappoint at the plate, as he hit a slugger toward the middle of the outfield that allowed Holzwarth to score, making it a one-score game.

Koby Duda and Alex Harrison both walked to their bases after getting hit at the plate. With the bases loaded, it was up to Johnny Grann to tie up the game. He hit a line drive left, allowing Thompson to get to home plate. With the game tied up, the Sox had Nelson County in a tough

spot. With the bases loaded and no outs, Duda and Harrison took advantage of the situation by scoring before the Owls could get to them in time. At the end of the sixth inning, the Black Sox

had completely shifted the pressure onto Nelson County, as they would have to score at least two runs at the top of the seventh. The Sox defense stayed stout as they did not allow any runs and

ended the game on top, keeping their winning streak alive.

In their exhibition game that took place shortly after, Nelson County was able to get some revenge and beat the Sox 6-4, but this game does not count toward their league record.

The Black Sox hold a 4-0 record in the league standings and are 2-2 in exhibition play this season.

Independent League

Baseball

June 17

SNR vs. Nelson County

NC 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 - 4 8 2

SNR 0 0 0 0 0 6 X - 6 4 2

Nelson County: Carter Anderson, 3 strikeouts; SNR: Alex Harrison, 2 strikeouts

TB: Johnny Grann, Nathan Holzwarth, Kaden Jensen, Hunter Thompson

RBI: Nick Berglund, Grann, Holzwarth 2, Colter Solderholm

SB: Thompson

SNR Runs: Bo Belquist, Nathan Holzwarth, Hunter Thompson, Koby Duda, Alex Harrison and Kaden Jensen.