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Velva, Garrison/Max split high-scoring doubleheader

Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Velva pitcher Gunnar Mogen throws a pitch during the first game of Wednesday evening's doubleheader against Garrison/Max in Velva. The 39ers earned a 9-6 win in Game 1, while the Titans captured a 12-1 victory in Game 2.

VELVA — As the Velva 39ers came back against the Garrison/Max Titans, Velva catcher Ricky Gonzales delivered the goods in the clutch.

Gonzales made an emphatic statement with a deep two-run double to right field in the bottom of the fifth inning. The go-ahead hit pushed the score to 7-6 in the 39ers’ favor and provided a boost during their 9-6 victory in Game 1 of Wednesday evening’s doubleheader.

After making solid contact with the ball, Gonzales had an inkling of a two-bagger.

“I just knew I had to unleash the wagon and get going,” he said.

The Titans (15-4) rebounded in the nightcap and defeated the 39ers (16-7) in a convincing 12-1 game.

Velva began the evening’s action with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. After Quintin Peterson ripped a bases-loaded single up the box, a fielder’s choice and an unsuccessful pickoff attempt provided the next two runs.

Pitching ruled the day until the top of the fourth inning. While employing a healthy dose of small ball, the Titans manufactured five runs.

Garrison/Max added another run in the fifth frame after Jack Bright executed a squeeze play. However, the Titans’ 6-3 lead evaporated in the bottom of that inning.

Jersey Selzler hustled home on a heads-up play, Gunnar Mogen ripped an RBI single and Gonzales drove the ball for the lead.

“Three big hits in a row,” Velva head coach Brent Engebretson said. “It was nice to see everyone contribute in that inning.”

Mogen toed the rubber as a relief pitcher as a relief pitcher in the top of the sixth. He worked in harmony with Gonzales during the final two innings.

“Gunnar hit every spot that I wanted,” Gonzales said. “It was just a good day for Gunnar.”

A pair of RBI doubles from Michael Thomas and Luke Zimmer provided additional insurance runs for Velva. Mogen tossed a scoreless seventh to close out the 9-6 win.

“The guys got excited again,” Engebretson said. “The friendly banter back and forth between the teams kind of fired us up and got us over the hump a little bit. I’ve got to give them credit. They played great small ball.”

Garrison/Max scored the second contest’s first two runs in the top of the first frame. In the second inning, Gunner Jacobs ripped an RBI single down the third-base line before Devon Crawford brought home two more runs with a double.

Zimmer came home on a wild pitch in the bottom of that frame, but the Titans kept their offensive momentum alive in the third. Gage Gehring started the scoring with an RBI double to the right-center alley.

Two more runs scored on a hard infield hit and a long sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the inning, Garrison/Max established a defensive rhythm.

Bright, a lanky southpaw, hit his spots. Four insurance runs in the final two innings sealed the Titans’ 12-1 victory.

“It was very good to see them bounce back after that first one,” Garrison/Max head coach Luke Gehring said. “That was a tough loss. We were missing a kid. One of our kids was injured, but he still came out and battled hard.”

Velva will travel to Renville County for a pair of games starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7. Garrison/Max will host the Minot Expos at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8.

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.

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