Pitching duel was highlight of Black Sox defeat

A late inning defensive breakdown by the Black Sox spoiled a gem from starting pitcher Keaton Cudworth.

On Thursday, May 5, the Sheyenne-New Rockford Black Sox hosted a rematch with the Wolves of Kidder Co./Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter.

Having lost to the Wolves via the 10-run mercy rule just over a week prior, no one was quite sure what to expect going into Thursday's rematch, but those in attendance were treated to a competitive game and compelling pitching duel.

In their last matchup, the Wolves successfully utilized three pitchers, none of which pitched for more than 2.1 innings, to keep SNR from scoring a single run.

This time around, all they needed was one.

Isaiah Oster started the game for the Wolves somewhat shakily, as SNR center fielder Connor Knatterud turned a leadoff single in the first inning into the Black Sox's first run, but that would be the only run he allowed Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Black Sox starting pitcher Keaton Cudworth was off to a similar start, as the Wolves managed to score an early run after a defensive error - a sign of what was to come. But like his mound opponent, Cudworth stabilized and shut down his opponents' lineup.

In his first five innings of work, Cudworth put down nearly every batter that stepped to the plate. Meanwhile, the Black Sox defense, despite their first inning mistake, was suddenly turning double plays, catching runners stealing and making correct decisions.

The result was a fast paced game, as both pitchers and their defenses wasted little time logging outs.

However, just as extra innings seemed likely, a hard-hit line drive put a Wolves' runner on second base with two outs in the sixth inning. An embarrassing defensive error followed, allowing the Wolves to score and putting another runner on second base.

The next Wolves batter hit another line drive, but seemed within reach of a Black Sox outfielder before he tripped and fell, prompting another runner to score.

The inning ended with the Wolves boasting a 3-1 lead, and with Oster continuing to throw strikes from the mound, the Black Sox offense was unable to muster a comeback.

Meanwhile, Cudworth returned to the mound in the seventh and notched another three quick outs. In his seven innings of work, Cudworth didn't allow a single earned run.

Region 3 Baseball

Thursday, May 5

Wolves 3, SNR 1

at New Rockford

Wolves: 100 002 0 - 3 6 2

SNR: 100 000 0 - 1 5 4

SNR Individual Stats

Hitting: Connor Knatterud 1-3, 1 run; Caden Price 1-3; Nick Berglund 2-3; Bradyn Collier 1-2.

Pitching: Keaton Cudworth 7.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO.

Kidder Co./Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter Individual Stats

Hitting: Collin Zimmerman 1-2, 1 run, 2 BB; Isaiah Oster 1-4; Blake Braun 2-3; Jace Larson 1-2, 1 run; Simon Hager 1-3.

Pitching: Isaiah Oster 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO.

Non-region Baseball

Wolves 10, SNR 9

Wolves: 312 22 - 10 16 6

SNR: 070 02 - 9 8 8

SNR Individual Stats

Hitting: Connor Knatterud 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 run; Brody Weisenburger 2-3, 2 runs; Bradyn Collier 2-3, 1 run; Alex Weisenburger 2-3; Koby Duda 1-2, 2 RBI, 1 run; Easton Simon 1 RBI, 1 run, 2 BB.

Pitching: B. Weisenburger 1.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO; Simon 3.1 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 0 SO.

Kidder Co./Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter Individual Stats

Hitting: Collin Zimmerman 2-3, 3 runs; Isaiah Oster 1-4; Blake Braun 3-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs; Jace Larson 1-3, 1 run, 1 BB; D Schadegg 1-2, 1 BB, 1 run; Simon Hager 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1 BB; Trevor Simmers 2-2, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 run; Jacob Kartes 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run; Trey Silbernagel 3-4, 2 RBI.

Pitching: Trevor Simmers 1.1 IP, 3 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 0 SO; Simon Hager 3.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO.