In a rematch of the 2023 North Dakota Class ‘A’ State Championship, the Wahpeton American Legion Baseball team split a home doubleheader with Kindred on Tuesday, July 2.

Post 117 won the first game, 10-8, and Post 20 took the nightcap, 12-6. 

Kindred jumped out to a 6-1 lead with four of the runs coming in the top of the third in the opener. Aiden Hajek got the nod for Wahpeton and gave up six runs in his two and a third innings on the hill. Only three of Hajek’s runs were earned, as a trio of Wahpeton errors contributed to the Kindred scoring.

Hajek came through at the plate with three RBIs and a pair of hits in the defeat. Braxton Pauly had a pair of RBIs in a 1-for-3 day at the plate. 

Kindred rode the momentum into the first inning of the second game when they got three runs, but Wahpeton took over from there with the game’s next 12 runs. 

Carter Hockert and Caden Kappes each had a pair of doubles in the strong showing. Hockert tossed four innings and Skyler Bladow closed out the final three innings. 

Hajek had his second multi-hit game of the day with a pair of singles and just as many RBIs. 

The annual Fourth of July border battle between Breckenridge and Wahpeton was cancelled due to heavy rains. Wahpeton is back in action Tuesday with a road doubleheader against the West Fargo Aces. Those games are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.