Larks Score Eight Unanswered Runs as Huskies Fall in Season Opener
May 30, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Duluth Huskies News Release
The season opener started promisingly for the Huskies on the road, but it ended in disappointment.
After Duluth jumped out to a 4-0 lead early against the Bismarck Larks, the home team responded with 8 unanswered runs to take the 8-4 victory.
In the second inning, the Huskies were the first to crack the scoreboard, with Max Coupe scoring on a wild pitch. Coupe had a strong performance at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a triple.
The visitors were able to capitalize on 6 wild pitches from Larks starter Carter Rost and reliever Brad Helton in the first four innings.
In the fourth, the Huskies added to their 1-run advantage with a 3-run frame. After a single from Caleb Corbin and a walk from Joe Vos, a Helton wild pitch put runners at second and third.
Jeremy Keller capitalized on the opportunity with runners in scoring position, ripping a double into the left-center gap that scored Corbin and Vos. Later in the inning, a sac fly by Joshua Duarte extended the Huskies lead to 4-0.
DJ Burke provided three strong scoreless innings in his season debut, allowing just one hit and recording three punchouts. He looked as good as advertised for the Huskies.
Once Burke exited the game, however, it was all downhill for Duluth. The Larks scored in each of the four subsequent innings. Bismarck brought three across in the fourth, on RBI singles from Brayden Koenig and Kai Hori and a wild pitch by Huskies reliever Ethan Cole.
In the fifth, with runners at first and second and one out in the inning, an errant throw by Huskies third baseman Carson Applegate wiped away a potential double-play opportunity. Dylan Perry scored from second on the play to tie the game, and the inning continued, allowing the Larks to add another run and build more momentum in the game.
After a good start offensively, the Huskies' bats were quiet in the final five innings of the game. Max Coupe was stranded at third in the 8th after a leadoff triple, but there wasn't much offense to speak of other than that. Caleb Corbin put up a strong showing in the loss for the Huskies, going 3 for 5 with a run scored.
While the Huskies' offense sputtered, the Larks continued to add on, scoring three more runs in the sixth and seventh to extend their lead to 4, and eventually sealing the 8-4 victory on opening night. In the final five innings, Larks pitching allowed just 5 hits and no runs to shut the door.
The Huskies will look to bounce back tomorrow in the second game of the series against Bismarck at 6:35 CST with Colin Linder on the bump.
Northwoods League Stories from May 30, 2023
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- Rox Pour Eleven Runs in on Second Victory of 2023 - St. Cloud Rox
- Early Offense and Dominant Outing from Keller Propels Growlers to First Win of 2023 - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Larks Down Duluth with Two-Run Victory, Improve to 2-0 - Bismarck Larks
- Express Drop Back-To-Back Games to La Crosse Loggers - Eau Claire Express
- Brosius with the Dive and Hukill with the Kill - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Rockers Sweep Dock Spiders to Open 2023 Season - Green Bay Rockers
- Chinooks Fall to Rafters in Close Comeback - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Command Woes Haunt the Huskies as They Fall 7-5 in Bismarck - Duluth Huskies
- MoonDogs Keep Season Series Alive - Mankato MoonDogs
- Madison Bats Frustrated by Wausau Bullpen in First Loss - Madison Mallards
- Wausau Uses Four-Run Fourth to Win First Game of Season - Wausau Woodchucks
- Loggers Top Express 8-3 to Open 2023 Campaign - La Crosse Loggers
- Rockers Open Home Campaign against Dock Spiders - Green Bay Rockers
- Larks Come Back on Opening Night to Beat Huskies - Bismarck Larks
- Larks Score Eight Unanswered Runs as Huskies Fall in Season Opener - Duluth Huskies
- St. Cloud Rox Come Back Late against Minot in Season Opener - St. Cloud Rox
- Battle Jacks Win on Opening Day - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Dock Spiders Comeback Comes Up Short In Extras, Fall to Green Bay - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Chinooks Defeat Rafters 10-6 in First Game of Season - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Rafters find the bats late but the Chinooks take game 1 of the series on opening day - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- MoonDogs Drop Home Opener - Mankato MoonDogs
- Pit Spitters Walk Their Way to an Opening Day Win - Traverse City Pit Spitters
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