Milbank Baseball Teams Slug it Out in Groton

The Milbank VFW 16U and Post 9 Legion baseball teams started the season in Groton on Monday, June 22, after a delay due to COVID-19. Both teams suffered a loss.

Milbank VFW 16U – 7 vs. Groton Jr. Legion – 9
Milbank suffered a 7-9 loss to Groton in a close game. The score was tied at 7-7 with Groton batting in the bottom of the sixth, when Groton singled on the first pitch, scoring one run. Milbank could not overcome the deficit.

Milbanks’s offensive power was led by Isaac Schulte and Steve Ash, both who had RBIs. Milbank scored its seven runs on five hits and made two errors. They put up three runs in the third inning. Ash, Mike Karges, Kaden Krause, Karson Weber, and Schulte each had one hit to pace the team. Kellen Hoeke took the loss for Milbank. He allowed nine hits and six runs over four and two-thirds innings. Krause finished the game and gave up three runs on three hits but struck out three hitters.

Milbank Post 9 – 3 vs. Groton Post 39 – 6
Milbank Post 9 fell behind early and could not come back in the 6-3 loss to Groton Post 39. Groton scored all six of their runs in the first two innings, but then stopped Milbank with solid defense.
Kacen Huber connected on 2-of-3 at the plate to lead Milbank in hits. Brady Femling suffered the loss on the mound for Post 9. He surrendered six runs on six hits over one and two-thirds innings. He struck out two batters.

Box scores for both games:

File Photo – Kellen Hoeke