Ben Jones ripped a double and scored on an error in the top of eleventh inning to beat Lakeview 4-3 Friday, June 26. The win advanced Brainerd in the loser’s bracket of the Sub-State 10 Legion Tournament.
Brainerd saw themselves down 3-1 heading into the top of the sixth inning. They rallied to load the bases thanks to a walk, error and single. Josh Hukriede hit a two-RBI single that tied the game. It was Hukriede’s only hit of the game, but it came in a big moment of the game for Brainerd.
Mason Argir went 2-4 with two singles and Marcus Lennartson went 2-5 with two singles and an RBI.
Brainerd survived the 11 inning game only uses two pitchers. Broc Peterson pitched seven innings and allowed three runs, two of them earned, on four hits. He walked two and struck out two. Colin Kleffman came on in relief in extra innings and allowed no runs on one hit. He struck out five batters in his four innings pitched and earned the win.
The next day, Brainerd trailed Grand Rapids 4-1 heading into the top of the seventh. Needing three runs to keep their hopes alive in the Legion Tournament, Brainerd loaded the bases with two-outs.
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Down to their last out Michael Laber’s two-RBI single cut Grand Rapids lead to one. Hukriede then popped out to the shortstop knocking Brainerd out of the Legion Tournament with a 4-3 lost to Grand Rapids.
Laber went 2-4 with a double to go along with his two-RBI single in the seventh. Colin Kleffman went 1-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Gunnar Wicklund ripped an RBI single in the second inning to keep Brainerd close in the early innings.
Argir started for Brainerd and pitched five innings. He allowed four runs on eight hits with three strikeouts. Lennartson pitched one inning of relief and allowed no runs, on one hit with one strikeout.
Brainerd finished their Legion season with a 19-20 record.
Game One
Brainerd 4 8 2
Lakeview 3 5 3
WP: Colin Kleffman. 2B: Brd-Ben Jones.
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Game Two
Brainerd 3 6 0
Grand Rapids 4 9 1
LP: Mason Argir. 2B: Brd-Michael Laber.
