The Wahpeton Post 20 American Legion Baseball team picked up right where it left off following back-to-back state titles, sweeping Crookston in a road doubleheader Friday.
Post 20 used a late push to steal the opener, 4-3, before erupting in the nightcap with a 16-8 victory.
Rylan Flack drew the Opening Day start and relished the role of staff ace. The Class “A” newcomer scattered six hits across 6 2/3 innings, holding Crookston to three runs while striking out nine and walking two.
Aiden Hajek needed just one pitch to induce a pop fly to himself for the save.
Post 20 scored four runs in the final three frames of the comeback win, despite recording just three hits and five walks in the contest. Hajek, Flack and Ryan Braun each drove in a run and Wahpeton made the most of three Crookston errors.
There was no shortage of offense in game two, as Post 20 piled on 13 hits.
Cayson Pinsonneault was a sparkplug at the bottom of the order, batting 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs. Flack also collected a trio of hits and two RBIs.
Brayden Steffens had a breakout game in the No. 2 hole, batting 2-for-5 with a triple and four RBIs. Flack joined Steffens with a three-bagger of his own.
Hajek and Braun posted two hits each. Braun also stole two bases and scored a game-high four runs.
Eli Kappes tied the Post 20 record for hit-by-pitch in a single game. The cleanup man was beaned four times in five plate appearances.
Trey King started on the mound and was hit hard. Crookston ended his night after 2 ⅔ innings, putting six hits and seven runs on the scoreboard. Riley Jones finished the second, allowing two baserunners and one run.
Steffens was effective in relief. The righty secured the game’s final five outs in scoreless fashion, working around two hits and striking out one.
UPCOMING: Wahpeton (2-0) hosts Fosston at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Monday. KBMW News Live will not have coverage of the home opener, but coverage will resume during Wahpeton’s home tournament at 6:30 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday.
