Resorters baseball: Miltona splits outings

The Miltona Tigers split two games decided by a combined three runs this past weekend.

Chris Koep threw a gem against Long Prairie on Sunday to earn a 6-4 win after a late rally fell short in a 7-5 loss to Clarissa on Saturday.

Koep threw eight strong innings to pick up the win against Long Prairie. He allowed four runs on six hits, while striking out 14. Long Prairie trailed 4-2 early before adding single runs in the sixth and eighth innings.

That set up an exciting top of the ninth for Miltona. Zac Beireis drew a one-out walk and stole second base. Derick Swenson reached on an infield single with two outs to put runners on first and second with two down. Jake and Dalton Leuschke followed with walks in the next two plate appearances to bring in the go-ahead run. Tyler Walsh added an insurance run with an infield single to make it a 6-4 game.

Jake Leuschke made that hold up in the bottom of the ninth. He retired the side in order to pick up the save.

Beireis and Swenson paced the Tigers’ offense with three hits apiece. Dalton Leuschke had two hits, while Tyler Walsh and Andrew McDaniel each added a hit.

Clarissa’s Charlie Woida did not allow the Miltona offense to bunch much together through the first eight innings on Saturday.

Woida held the Tigers to one run through eight innings before handing a 7-1 lead to his bullpen. Little did Woida know, he would be called upon to shut the door after that lead almost slipped away in the ninth.

The Tigers scored twice with two outs after two walks and two hit batters got Clarissa into trouble. Woida was then summoned from the dugout to try and get the final out.

Miltona did not go away quietly. Dalton Leuschke and Walsh followed with base hits to make it a 7-5 game. Woida would bear down to strike out the next man he faced to end the threat.

Walsh and Dalton Leuschke each had two hits to lead the Miltona offense. Beireis, Kevin Engebretson, Sam Steidl, Jake Leuschke, Trey Thompson and McDaniel each added a hit apiece.

The Tigers are back at home for one game this weekend. They welcome Carlos to Bernie Steidl Field for a 2 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.

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