Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Colt Solderholm makes his way around the bases to score in the fourth inning. He scored two runs in the Black Sox season opener on June 5.
On June 5, the New Rockford independent baseball team took on the Carrington Red Birds at Jim "Legion" Johnson Memorial Field. The atmosphere was unlike any other, as many people came out to watch the game that night. Most fans looked like they were relieved just to be outside in the sun-filled bleachers.
For the most part, the Black Sox and Red Birds eased their way into the game with a scoreless first two innings. The Red Birds struck first at the top of the third inning with Nick Lyman scoring off of Austin Trelstad, catching Black Sox defenders off guard. The locals did not answer in the third but came back strong in the fourth inning with three quick outs and finally got on the board. They started it off with a slugger far left and made it to second base. Colt Solderholm then snuck his way past defenders to steal third base and scored off of Alex Harrison's first base hit to tie it up at one apiece.
The fifth inning was nothing but excellent defense on both sides. Notably, Harrison had three perfect strike outs. The sixth inning was when the game turned into absolute chaos. At the top of the sixth, the Red Birds scored three straight off of runs by Jacob Rexin, Noah Paulson and Seth Nelson. The suddenness of these three runs put the Sox in a tough spot, but like true competitors they chose to fight back with three runs of their own showing Carrington that they were a force to be reckoned with.
Runs by Solderholm, Koven Walford and Nick Berglund helped set the tone for what was later to come. In the seventh inning, it was very apparent that it was going to be as action packed as the previous inning. Again it was the defensive side of the ball where the Sox really stepped up, allowing zero runs from Carrington. Then, with two outs in the bottom of the inning, the pressure was on for Belquist to step to plate and deliver for the locals. Determined on his goal, Belquist worked his way to home plate stealing one base at a time as his teammates bat. Finally he was able to capitalize on a catcher's error and get to the plate for the game winning run. What an amazing return to baseball in New Rockford!
The Black Sox Babe Ruth team, coached by Braxton Hewitt, opened the season Wednesday, June 10 at home against Cando. The independent league team at home later that same day.
The Black Sox play at home again today, June 10. The full schedule is at right.
