The Alexandria Senators used a big day at the plate to assure themselves of a trip to the Region 16C tournament with a 9-6 win over Brandon-Evansville this past Sunday.
Alexandria had 16 hits on the day and used a five-run third inning to take an early 6-0 lead on the Bluedogs. Ron Welle, Collin Modahl, Erik Maas, Clay Grimstad and Matt Strong all had consecutive singles to start the third inning. Kurt Kalina then picked up his second hit of the day to cap off the scoring with two outs.
Those runs were important as the Bluedogs mounted a comeback. Brandon-Evansville scored once in the bottom of the third before a four-run fifth cut the lead to 6-5.
The Senators responded with a two-out double by Grimstad that scored Nick Petro in the sixth to make it a two-run game. The Bluedogs answered with another run in the bottom of the frame, but Alexandria had an answer every time Brandon-Evansville tried to come back.
Derek Miller pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh without allowing a run. That gave Alexandria a boost as the Senators came out in the eighth and gave him some breathing room with two runs to make it 9-6. Strong picked up the big hit in the inning with a two-RBI single.
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That proved to be enough as Miller held the Bluedogs scoreless through the final three innings. He and starter Jesse Flaten combined to hold Brandon-Evansville to nine hits.
Grimstad led Alexandria at the plate with four hits, while Kalina and Modahl each chipped in with three. Strong ended the game with three RBIs.
The win sends the Senators to the championship game on Sunday where they will play the winner of Brandon-Evansville versus Ashby. That game is set to take place tomorrow at 7 p.m.
The winner advances to a 2 p.m. contest with Alexandria in Ashby on Sunday. A second game would be played to decide the title immediately after that game if Alexandria loses.
GAME SUMMARY
ALEXANDRIA 015 001 020 - 9 16 2
B-E 001 041 000 - 6 9 4
ALEXANDRIA PITCHING - Jesse Flaten - 3IP; Derek Miller - (W) 6IP
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ALEXANDRIA HITTING - Clay Grimstad - 4 hits; Kurt Kalina, Collin Modahl - 3 hits; Matt Strong - 2 hits, 3 RBI; Erik Maas, Mike Lloyd, Ron Welle, Doug Breitkreutz
