Walleye split with Dickinson to open Legion baseball season
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
The Watford City Walleye got off to a great start to their 2016 American Legion baseball season splitting a pair of games with Dickinson on Sunday, June 12.
This week, the Walleye will host Beulah on Thursday, Mandan on Friday and then take on the Minot Metros on Monday, June 20.
Dickinson 7, Walleye 6
Walleye 17, Dickinson 14
Just four runs separated the Walleye and Dickinson as the teams traded 34 hits in two games as Watford City’s American Legion team opened its home season on Sunday, June 12.
In the first game, Dickinson got on the scoreboard first with five runs to open the first inning with the Walleye answering back with two runs in the bottom of the inning.
Dickinson would add two more insurance runs in the second inning with Watford City scoring two runs in the bottom of the third and one run in the bottom of the fourth.
Brett Skarda took the 7-6 loss on the mound for the Walleye as he gave up five runs on two hits, while walking three and striking out one in the first inning.
Skarda paced the Walleye at the plate as he went two for two with three RBIs, while Darrian Dunn was two for three with one RBI.
Watford City was able to turn the table on Dickinson in the second game as the Walleye exploded for 17 runs on 13 hits to take a 17-14 win.
While Watford City would trail Dickinson, 3-0, after the first two innings, the Walleye kicked off their come-from-behind rally in the bottom of the third inning scoring four runs to trail, 6-4. Watford City would then hold Dickinson scoreless in the next two innings while plating four additional runners.
Dickinson would make thing exciting as they scored eight runs in the top of the sixth inning to retake the lead, 14-10.
But Watford City would answer the challenge in a big way as they scored seven runs in their final at bat to secure the 17-14 win.
Logan Mehlhoff, Tyler Krabbenhoft and Darrian Dunn provided the fire power at the plate for the Walleye as each belted out a home run. Heath Chaffin was four for four at the plate with three singles and a double while batting in three runners.
Brett Skarda earned the win for Watford City, while Hunter Neether and Heath Chaffin pitched the first five and a third innings.
Game 1 R H E
Dickinson 5 2 0 0 0 0 7 4 1
Watford City 2 0 3 1 0 0 6 8 1
Game 2 R H E
Dickinson 1 2 3 0 0 8 0 14 9 1
Watford City 0 0 4 1 3 2 7 17 13 3