DEVILS LAKE — The Devils Lake Storm B team (17-8) faced off against Rugby Post 23 in Legion baseball action on Wednesday, July 8, at DLYA Field. The Storm handily defeated Rugby in a 9-1 performance.
The game began with a scoreless first inning. Both teams went three and out, with Rugby pitcher Hudson Hager striking out his first three batters in the bottom half of the inning. The second inning was also empty, as both teams kept their offenses in check.
Rugby got on the board in the top of the third, with Luke Arnston singling to center field to drive in a run. Devils Lake took the lead in the bottom of the third after Andrew Hammond hit an RBI single to drive in one run, and Henley Driessen hit a home run to left field to add two more for a 3-1 lead. It was Driessen’s first career home run.
The Storm increased their lead to 6-1 in the bottom of the fourth after Isaac Kraft hit a ground ball to drive in two runs and Kitson Beck singled to right field for another. In the bottom of the fifth, after an error allowed Jaxon Strong to run home, a wild pitch drove in another run, and a second error drove in another for a 9-1 lead. The remainder of the game went scoreless as Devils Lake took the win.
Talan Gregory pitched all seven innings for the Storm, giving up three hits and one run, striking out five and walking four. Hager took the loss for Rugby, but had a strong night on the mound. Despite giving up nine runs (three earned) on seven hits, he struck out nine and walked none.
Devils Lake head coach Parker Schmid praised the team’s performance. “I thought the focus was good from the start,” he said. “We put it in play and made things happen, and just kind of went from there.”
The Devils Lake Storm B team will return to action in a home game against Bottineau on Thursday, July 9, at DLYA Field.