Walleye continue to struggle to get wins
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
Watford City’s American Legion baseball team continues to struggle to get into the winning column as the Walleye went win-less while dropping six games this past week. The Walleye’s season record now stands at 4-17.
“We continue to have a tough time putting together a whole game,” stated Pat Spacher, Walleye’ head coach. “We played very strong competition and played very hard. Unfortunately, the results are not where they need to be.”
Part of Watford City’s struggle during the month of June has been playing without a complete team due to summer vacations.
“We are all looking forward to having our whole team back together so we can continue to improve and have better results,” states Spacher.
This past week, the Walleye dropped a pair of games to Lewis & Clark and then went 0-4 at the Minot Tournament where Watford City fell to Eden Prairie, the Minot Metros, the Minot Vistas and Carrington.
The next action for Watford City will be on July 9 when the Walleye host Velva before competing in the Glendive Tournament July 10 through 12.
Lewis & Clark 5, Walleye 2
Lewis & Clark 11, Walleye 8
The Walleye dropped a pair of games to Lewis & Clark on June 23 as the Walleye lost the first game, 5-2, and then suffered an 11-8 defeat in the second game.
Watford City led Lewis & Clark, 2-0, after three innings of play, but gave up four runs in the top of the fourth inning in the loss.
Andrew Sampsel led the Walleye in hitting as he went two of four at the plate with two RBIs.
Sampsel took the loss on the mound for Watford City as he gave up five runs on eight hits, while striking out five batters.
In the second game, the Walleye again gave up the early lead to lose to Lewis & Clark, 11-8.
Watford City led 4-0 after two innings of action, but couldn’t hold on as Lewis & Clark scored eight runs in their final three innings at the plate to take the win.
Andrew Sampsel and Brandon Roth had the hot bats for Watford City as the pair had three RBIs each in the losing effort.
Tyler Fara took the loss on the mound for Watford City.
Game 1 R H E
Lewis & Clark 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 5 8 0
Watford City 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 4 2
Game 2 R H E
Watford City 2 2 0 3 0 0 1 8 10 2
Lewis & Clark 0 0 3 3 2 3 x 11 9 1
Eden Prairie 15, Walleye 2
A 10-run third inning powered Eden Prairie to a 15-2 win over Watford City in opening round play of the Minot Tournament on June 26.
Watford City scored its only runs in the top of the first inning on a triple by Dakota Neether.
Hunter Neether took the loss for Watford City as he gave up 11 hits and 12 runs in the two and a third innings of pitching.
R H E
Watford City 2 0 0 0 0 2 5 1
Eden Prairie 4 1 10 0 x 15 16 0
Minot Metros 11, Walleye 3
Watford City fell behind the Minot Metros early and never got into the game as the Walleye fell to the Metros, 11-3, on June 27.
The Metros led Watford City, 4-0, before the Walleye would get on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning as Preston Milstead scored on a David Kline single.
Watford City’s other two runs came in the top of the fifth inning.
Milstead took the loss on the mound for Watford City as he gave up nine runs on eight hits.
R H E
Watford City 0 0 1 0 2 0 3 6 6
Minot Metros 2 2 2 0 1 4 11 10 2
Minot Vistas 10, Walleye 2
Watford City was able to only score two runs on five hits as the Walleye dropped a 10-2 loss to the Minot Vistas on June 27.
After a scoreless first inning, the Vistas jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the second inning en route to the easy win.
Watford City’s only runs came in the top of the fourth inning as Brandon Allex and David Kline scored on an Andrew Sampsel double.
Brandon Allex took the loss on the mound for the Walleye as he gave up five runs on five hits.
R H E
Watford City 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 5 1
Minot Vistas 0 4 0 1 3 2 10 8 0
Carrington 9, Walleye 1
After trading first inning runs with Carrington on Sunday at the Minot Metros Tournament, Watford City just couldn’t find a way to score in spite of out-hitting Carrington, 9-5.
The Walleye, who left nine runners stranded on base, went on to lose to Carrington, 9-1.
Andrew Sampsel led the Walleye in batting as he went two for two at the plate with one RBI.
David Kline was the losing pitcher as he gave up four runs on three hits.
R H E
Carrington 1 3 0 1 2 2 0 9 5 0
Watford City 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 9 3