Minot sweeps Burlington

Metros’ wins extend streak to four games

By CRAIG HAUPERT
Staff Writer

chaupert@minotdailynews.com



Burlington couldn’t find the strike zone and the Minot Metros couldn’t help but take advantage.

Aided by 11 walks and one hit batsman, the Metros routed Burlington 17-2 in each teams’ Section 5 American Legion Class B Baseball opener Monday at Corbett Field.

Metros starter Ben Magnuson picked up the win, allowing five hits and striking out five in five innings. At the plate he was walked three times, scored once and had one run batted in.

“I saw they (Burlington’s pitchers) were struggling and thought I’d come up and be patient — not rush things,” said Magnuson. “I knew that there probably was a walk coming.”

Every Metro scored at least one run with Dan Himmerick, Jarid Hoffman, Alex Fornshell, Kris Winkels and Eric Merck all scoring multiple times. Recording multiple hits for the Metros were Winkels (2-for-3), Alex Howell (2-for-3) and Damon Otto (2-for-3).

Burlington came out of the gates quickly as Tim Ranum opened the game with a triple to help the Bulldogs lead 2-0 after a half inning. The Metros (6-2) responded by scoring three unearned runs in the bottom of the first and it snowballed from there. They added five runs in the second, seven more in the third and two in the fourth — all on just nine hits.

“Pitchers have to come out and throw strikes to give us a chance,” Burlington head coach Brock Weppler said. “They (the Metros) should never have that many runs off of nine hits. We’ve got to keep the walks down and we’ve got to challenge hitters at this level and just throw strikes.”

Burlington starter Levi Oen lasted two innings, giving up five hits and eight runs (four earned) while walking three. Ranum finished 1-for-3 with a triple and a run scored, while Matt Opland went 2-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI.

The Metros rallied over Burlington 6-5 in the non-section nightcap. It is the Metros’ second late-inning rally in as many days.

Burlington took a three-run lead into the final half inning only to see the Metros tie it on a walk, an error and a wild pitch. Burlington stranded the bases loaded in the top of the sixth and Hoffman scored the winning run for the Metros on a balk in the bottom of the sixth.

“Our guys are kind of being the comeback kids right now,” Metros head coach Travis Smith said. “We find ourselves down early but there is some character in this group of guys. They are able to stay focused up there whether they are down or not. I’m very pleased with how our guys stay focused throughout the game.”

Burlington reliever Shawn Storseth took the loss, while Metros’ reliever Howell picked up the win.

Magnuson batted 2-for-3 in the nightcap. Burlington’s Jacob Eckel went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Opland had two RBIs in the nightcap.