Firechiefs Perfect After Two This Season

The Firechiefs headed back into action on the road in Colman on Wednesday, May 31. Milbank scorched the Ramona Express 8-6 in their second game to improve to 2-0 in the Eastern Dakota League (EDL).

The Firechiefs didn’t waste any time getting on the board. In the top of the first, Taylor Boerger blazed a path with a single, stole second base, and advanced to third when Kaden Krause grounded out. Brady Krause hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Boerger and put Milbank ahead 1-0.Ramona’s bats were also on fire and answered with five runs in the bottom of the first. The Express added one run in the bottom of the second to give them a 6-1 lead after two innings. 

The Firechiefs offense, however, came alive in the top of the third. B. Krause led with a walk and was followed by a single to left from Mitch Quade. Kellen Hoeke slapped another single to left to score B. Krause and get the Firechiefs cooking at 6-2. 

Brady Femling scored Quade to narrow the gap to 6-3 as the Firechiefs continued to claw back.

Cam May then drew a walk to load the bases. Ronnie Krause reached first on a fielder’s choice. He scored Femling and inched Milbank closer at 6-4. On a wild pitch, May made it home to push the score to 6-5.  The third inning ended with Ramona still in the lead, but Milbank was back in the game.

In the top of the fourth, the Firechiefs created the game tying run. Quade connected for a double and crossed home plate when Jesse Krause lined a single to left field. 

Milbank flipped the lead in the top of the fifth when K. Krause doubled down the right field line. Ramona’s pitcher let a couple get away, and K. Krause turn the opportunities into points. He advanced to third and then home. The Firechiefs were ahead 7-6.

Neither team scored again until the final inning when Milbank added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. May doubled from the bottom of the fence. R. Krause bunted him to third, and the third baseman threw the ball over the first baseman’s head to allow R. Krause to reach second and May to score. 

The Firechiefs had secured an 8-6 lead and held on to it to take the victory.
B. Krause went the distance on the mound. He allowed six earned runs and struck out 16 batters. Quade blasted three hits. Hoeke added two. Femling, Boerger, K.Krause J.Krause, and. May all added one hit apiece to Milbank’s total of 10. 

For the Express, Casey Renaas recorded four hits. Justin Casanova made three hits, including a double. Ryan Schlisner laid claim to three hits and one RBI. Connor Libis hit a double and added two RBIs.
See the Firechiefs play in their home opener against Clark on Sunday, June 4. First pitch is at Pribyl Park at 7 p.m.