Baseball: Senators still swinging in Resorters League

• Erickson

Echo Press photo by Lori Mork Alexandria's Tim Erickson (30) dove safely into home.
• Modahl

Echo Press photo by Lori Mork Colin Modahl struck out 14 Norsemen batters in the Senators win

Talk about it

The Alexandria Senators rebounded from an opening round loss last Friday night by taking a 5-3 game against Kensington on Sunday to extend their season.

The Senators and Norsemen locked up in an elimination game on Sunday with the winner advancing to play Osakis this weekend. Tim Erickson and Collin Modahl made sure it was Alexandria that would do just that. Modahl struck out 14 from the mound on his way to the win. Erickson paced the offense with three hits as Alexandria ended the Norsemen’s season.

It was a good bounce-back performance after the Senators struggled to get much going on offense against Ashby in the opening round of the West playoffs. The two teams locked up in a pitchers’ duel that was eventually won by the A’s Tyler Anderson.

Derek Miller matched him pitch for pitch through eight innings before a rally in the ninth gave the A’s the win. Miller was as dominant as a pitcher can be in a losing effort, striking out 16 men. He ran into some trouble in the ninth when he hit two batters and walked another to load the bases. Anderson then gave himself the win with a bases clearing hit.

It was a fitting ending to a memorable day for Anderson. He held the Senators to five hits and struck out 15 batters himself. He also collected three hits at the plate.

Ashby’s win guaranteed them a spot in the upcoming Region 16C tournament. It also set up a date with the defending 16C champion Brandon-Evansville Bluedogs in Evansville tomorrow night at 8.

Alexandria and Osakis will battle for a spot in the regional tournament, as well. The Hawks and Senators meet at Knute Nelson Memorial Park tomorrow at 8 p.m., with the winner advancing to Region 16C play and the loser going home.

GAME STATISTICS

ASHBY 000 100 003 – 4 7 3

ALEXANDRIA 000 000 110 – 2 5 1

PITCHING SUMMARY – Derek Miller and Mike Lloyd; LP – Miller

ALEXANDRIA HITTERS – Lloyd – 2 hits; Nick Petro – one hit; Tim Erickson – 1 hit; Doug Breitkreutz – 1 hit

KENSINGTON 100 020 000 – 3 10 3

ALEXANDRIA 020 003 00X – 5 9 1

PITCHING SUMMARY – Collin Modahl and Gabe Grimstad; WP – Modahl

ALEXANDRIA HITTERS – Erickson – 3 hits; Modahl – 1 hit; Grimstad – 1 hit; Casey Stotesbery – 1 hit; Ron Welle – 1 hit; Gabe Grimstad – 1 hit; Derek Miller – 1 hit

Tags: alexandria sports, west central area sports, area sports, sports, senators, norsemen, amateur, baseball, resorters