Walleye continue winning streak
By Zach Stenberg
Farmer Intern
The Watford City American Legion baseball team continues on with their hot bats, solid pitching, and winning games.
The Walleye improved their record to 12-1 overall and a league record of 7-0 with wins over Sidney, Renville County, and Stanley this past week.
“Overall, we had a good week, but we need to keep improving,” stated Pat Spacher, Walleye head coach.
Last week, the Walleye picked up two wins against Sidney at home. “The second game we got caught coasting and Sidney made us pay. Our kids however, showed that we are starting to become a gutsy ball club,” stated Spacher. “And we bounced back with a come-from-behind win.”
Watford City 9, Sidney 4
The game was tied up 1-1 going into the bottom of the third. “Mitchell Liebel hit a grand slam with two outs and the bases loaded to give us a 7-0 lead in the first game,” stated Spacher. Watford City went on to beat Sidney 9-4.
Nate Egeberg knocked in two runs on two hits. Andrew Sampsel was the winning pitcher, while pitching all seven innings and striking out four.
“Andrew battled while not having his best stuff,” stated Spacher. “And for the most part, it was a very good effort by all our players in the first game.”
Watford City 5, Sidney 3
The Walleye picked up a run in the first and second innings, and then found themselves behind by one run in the bottom of the seventh.
Brice Brenno ended the game with a walk-off three-run home run, and with a swing of the bat won the game 5-3.
“Brice got a great pitch to hit and crushed it for a game-winning three- run walk-off homer,” stated Spacher. “Dustin Kleppen and Brandon Taylor had excellent at bats to get the inning going.”
Game 1 R H E
Sidney 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 3 2
Watford City 1 0 6 0 2 0 - 9 11 2
Game 2 R H E
Sidney 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 8 6 1
Watford City 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 5 12 1
Watford City 15, Renville 6
The Walleye scored runs in every inning except the fifth and the sixth as Watford City rolled over Renville County, 15-6.
Nate Egeberg had four runs batted in on three hits, and scored three runs. Andrew Sampsel also had four runs batted in on three hits and scored twice.
Dakota Neether picked up the win on six innings of work, striking out 10 of Sidney’s batters. Andrew Sampsel pitched one inning of relief, and struck out three.
Watford City 13, Renville 4
Watford City’s bats could not be stopped in game two of the double-header, as the Walleye scored 13 runs on 15 hits, as they rolled through Renville again, 13-4.
Nate Egeberg added on to his hot bat, and had four hits, and knocked three runs in. Brice Brenno had two doubles and a single, with two runs batted in.
“We did a nice job with the bats all day and our pitchers battled all day,” stated Spacher. “I think the kids recognized that we need to play better, but we are happy with the wins.”
Brandon Allex pitched the whole game and struck out eight.
Game 1 R H E
Watford City 4 3 3 1 0 0 4 15 19 4
Renville 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 6 5 2
Game 2 R H E
Renville 1 0 3 0 0 0 2 4 5 0
Watford City 6 1 0 1 5 0 - 13 15 0
Watford City 15, Stanley 8
The Walleye once again put up a football score on the scoreboard with 15 runs on 17 hits as Watford City bested Stanley 15-8.
The Walleye scored in every inning except the second and fourth.
Mitchell Liebel continued to knock in runners and had four runs batted in with three hits in this game. Keegan Thompson batted in three runs on two hits.
Nate Egeberg picked up the win, pitching four innings with seven strikeouts. Dustin Kleppen went three innings in relief, and recorded four strikeouts.
Game 1 R H E
Watford City 4 0 5 0 1 1 4 15 17 2
Stanley 1 0 3 0 0 0 4 8 6 0