Minot Aces win the 12U AAA ND State Championship
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The Minot Aces 12U AAA team took home the State Championship in North Dakota’s Babe Ruth League after defeating the Bismarck Americans 6-2 in the championship match on Sunday, August 2.
The Aces beat out the seven other teams in the state tournament, taking down Williston in the first round, then Dickinson in the quarterfinals, Fargo in the semifinals and finally Bismarck in the championship.
The Aces dropped their first game against the Americans in the championship round, but coming out of the losers’ bracket, Bismarck had to secure two wins against Minot to secure the championship title.
The Aces refused to let that happen.
Eyston R. kicked off Minot’s championship game with an RBI single line drive to left field in the top of the first inning that allowed Steven M. to make his way home.
Jase F. was quick to follow up, singling on an RBI line drive of his own to right field allowing Eyston R. to reach home plate.
The Americans were slow to respond, allowing the Aces to work their way up to a 4-0 in the top of the third inning with an RBI single by Steven M. and a second RBI by Eyston R.
The Americans put their first runs of the game on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning, netting two runs before they grounded out to second baseman Brogan H. for an easy put out to first baseman Leysser C. Jr. for out number three.
The Aces were able to keep the Americans from crossing home plate again through the rest of the game, but they scored two more single runs for themselves in the tops of the fifth and sixth innings.
Steven M. was out on a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth that allowed Brogan H. to score home. Brogan H. hit a sacrifice fly of his own to center field in the top of the sixth inning. allowing Kipton K. to cross home plate for the last run of the game.
The Minot Aces 12U AAA team ended the season with a record of 41-7-1. The team was coached by Travis Smith, Justin Racine and Josh Heilman.