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Post 30 Splits Double Header in Brainerd

By Craig Olson, 06/13/19, 12:30AM CDT

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Fergus Falls American Legion Post 30 traveled to Brainerd for a double header on Wednesday.  Post 30 dropped the first game 5-4, but came back to record a 6-4 win in game two.

Brock Kotschevar (6IP, 5H, 5ER, 1BB, 2K) went the distance and took the loss in game one.

“Brock attacked the Brainerd hitters with strike one early and often,” reported Fergus Falls Head Coach Trevor Larson.  “Brock definitely gave us a chance to win today.  He threw a ton of strikes and let his defense make plays behind him.”

Nathan Zierden and Nic Pearson paced the offense with two hits apiece.

Brainerd built a 5-0 lead after three innings, courtesy of a third inning grand slam.  Kotschevar then settled down very nicely.

Ashwin Stratton (2IP, 2H, 2ER, 4BB, 4K) started in game two but had to leave the game because of an injury which occurred when he was covering home plate.  Cole Fronning (4IP, 3H, 1R, 6BB, 4K) came on in relief to pick up the victory.  Austin Stanislawski earned the save by pitching the seventh inning, striking out a batter and issuing a walk.

Cole Knudson, Nic Pearson and Austin Stanislawski each had two hits in the game.

Post 30 jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings, highlighted by a straight steal of home by Pearson.  Brainerd answered with three in their half of the third inning and the game remained tied until the seventh when Knudson hit the go-ahead infield single with two outs to allow Fergus Falls to take the lead.

“Stanislawski came in with runners on first and third with nobody out,” said Coach Larson.  “He was able to strike out the second batter he faced.  With the score 6-4 and runners on first and second with one out, Stanislawski snagged a line drive back at him and doubled up the runner on first base to end the game.  Tonight was a fun night of baseball.  The boys could have easily given up when the calls and bounces weren’t going our way, but they didn’t.  We need to cut down on our walks as a pitching staff and also we need to improve our hitting of off speed pitches.  Overall, I am very proud of the boys effort and resilience to beat a good Brainerd opponent.”

Post 30 returns to action next week as they have their home opener on Monday, June 17 against East Grand Forks with a double header beginning at 5:00pm.