Blue Anchors defeat Rox to open series

June 5, 2014 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Blue Anchors News Release


St. Cloud, Minn. - The Alexandria Blue Anchors defeated the St. Cloud Rox Wednesday night by a score of 7-3 at Joe Faber Field. The victory puts the Anchors' record at 2-7 in 2014.

The Rox were first to score in the bottom of the first against Alexandria starter Robbie Mouton. With two outs and a runner on first, Ryan Busch committed an error to keep the inning alive. Will Craig reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases and a walk to Garrett McMullen brought home Chris Paul to put St. Cloud ahead 1-0.

In the top of the third, Dalton Leuschke singled to right to start the inning and stole second. One out later, Ryan Busch doubled to bring home Leuschke and tie the game at one. A passed ball moved Busch to third and Craig Nenning hit a sacrifice fly to center plating Busch, putting Alexandria ahead 2-1.

Andrew Thome, who entered in the second inning, began the bottom half of the third by allowing back-to-back doubles to Paul and Clay Ardeeser and Rox tied the game at two apiece.

St. Cloud starter Matt Rodgers retired the first two hitters in the top of the ninth but allowed a homer to dead center to Roman Collins and the Anchors grabbed a 3-2 lead.

The Anchors' lead was extended in the top of the sixth. Kris Goodman led off with a double and after Aaron Gretz flied out, Goodman stole third and scored on a Ricky Sanchez base hit. Collins drew a walk ending Rodgers' night. Will Craig came on to pitch and he retired the first batter he faced. Leuschke hit a two-out double bringing home Sanchez and Collins and Alexandria extended their lead to 6-2.

In the top of the eighth, the Blue Anchors used another two-out rally to add an insurance run. Collins drew his second walk and moved to second on an Alex Fink free pass. Leuschke continued his hot hitting by stroking a double to left scoring Collins, giving the Anchors a 7-2 lead.

Will Craig brought the Rox within four by leading off the bottom of the eighth with a solo homer against Kevin Walsh but the Blue Anchors' pitching staff shut down the rest of the game finishing off a 7-3 victory.

Mouton went one inning and gave up just two walks leading to one unearned run. Thome (1-0) picked up the win going four innings allowing just a run on three hit and a walk with six strikeouts. In 2.1 innings of work, Walsh gave up one run on two hits, four walks and four punch outs. Graylon Brown finished the game for the Anchors and collected his first save by pitched 1.2 shutout innings allowing a base hit and striking out four.

Minnesota Baseball Academy Player of the Game - Dalton Leuschke (DH) - The University of North Dakota junior had the best day at the plate of any Anchor hitter this season. He finished with four hits in four at bats and he scored a run and drove in three.

Notes: The Blue Anchors wrap up their home-and-home series with the Rox Thursday night at Knute Nelson Memorial Park...Taking the mound for Alexandria is Cole Volkers (0-1, 9.00)...The game, starting at 6:35 p.m., can be seen live at www.youtube.com/user/NorthwoodsLeauge.



Northwoods League Stories from June 5, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central