The Otters went 2-0 in pool play beating Moorhead 15-1 and followed up with a 7-0 shutout over West Fargo. The wins in pool play set up a matchup versus the host team DGF in the finals. The Otters persevered, winning 5-4 in an exciting nightcap at Bob Marshall Field.
In the opening game versus Moorhead Orange, Ben Tollerson went the distance for a complete game and held the Spuds bats in check as he only allowed only 1 run in 4 innings of work. The Otters pounded out 9 hits and scored 15 runs securing the win. Seven Otters got hits in the game with Cole Zierden and Carter Thielke leading the way with 2 hits each. Thielke’s bases loaded double in the third inning, scored 3 runs, capping off a 4 RBI game. Conner Johnson, Bailey Culbertson, Kaden Conklin, Sully Krueger and Andrew Johnson also had hits in the game.
Owen “Sully” Kreuger was the story in game 2 versus West Fargo as he pitched a 1 hitter, shutting out a West Fargo team that scored 17 runs in their previous game. Sully also had an RBI single, helping his own cause, going 1 for 2 at the plate. Connor Johnson’s deep RBI double was a momentum boost and a key at bat in the middle innings. The Otters managed 8 hits in the game with Thielke going 2 for 2 and Krueger, C. Johnson, Zierden, Adam King, A. Johnson, and Kaden Conlin all notching hits in the box score. The win over West Fargo earned the Otters an opportunity to face the host team in the Championship game.
The final game of the day, after a long day in the sun, was an exciting finish on a fun day of baseball. The Otters once again jumped out early and scored 2 runs in the top of the first inning, putting the pressure on the home team. The Otters were relentless on the basepaths all day long stealing 36 bases in three games and Thielke stealing home with 2 outs in the first inning was a testament to their aggressive style of play. Sam Sorum had another strong pitching performance, going 4 1/3 and keeping DGF in check. He gave way to the bullpen with one out and bases loaded in the home half of the final inning and error, followed by a double and a sac fly made for an exciting finish, but with the tying run on third base, the Otters were able to get the final out and claim the victory and the championship. The Otters only managed 6 hits in the game, lead by Zierden who was 2 for 3 at the plate. Thielke, A. Johnson, Krueger, and Conklin also had hits in the game.
Head Coach Shane Thielke was pleased with his teams’ performance. “It was a great day of baseball. We played solid defense all day. We only committed one error in the field over 3 games and the entire roster of 14 players played a part in winning this tournament. Absolutely everyone contributed today. I was happy for our kids and proud of our effort. The dugout was awesome today. You’d never know that there were kids who weren’t physically in the game, as mentally, it felt like everyone was locked in. It was a great day for Otter baseball.”
The 15U Otters improve to 9-2 on the season and head to Barnesville Monday night in LRBR action.
