Devils Lake baseball split a road doubleheader on Saturday for the second time in as many days, opening the season with a 2-2 record.
Saturday’s doubleheader was a similar story as Friday’s: a low offensive output in a close Game 1 loss, and an outburst in a Game 2 victory. Playing Bismarck, the Firebirds lost 4-2, then won 12-1 to stay even on the young season.
Bismarck struck first with Mason Palmer on the mound in the second inning. Max Palmer made an error at shortstop, and a run came home on a throw that got away from second baseman Ben Larson on a stolen base.
Bismarck made two errors of its own in the top of the third, allowing Devils Lake to tie it right back up. Beau Brodina reached on a miscue by the second baseman, and after Mason Palmer walked, Brodina scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
The Demons went back ahead in the bottom of the inning. Palmer issued a leadoff walk, and a Tanner Groseclose double made it 2-1 Bismarck.
Then the Firebirds fought back again in the next frame, tying it at 2-2 in the top of the fourth. Parker Brodina singled on a soft popup in the infield. Larson got a bunt down, and the catcher threw it away, allowing Brodina to come all the way around and cross home plate.
But that was all the offense for Devils Lake in Game 1. Palmer was done after four innings, holding Bismarck to two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks with a whopping eight strikeouts.
The Demons scored two against Jackson Baeth in the fifth inning. Both scored on an error by first baseman P. Brodina after a bunt single. Brodina had a single in the next inning, but the Firebirds couldn’t make anything of it, and B. Brodina made the last out.
But just like on Friday, Devils Lake seemed to go into the second game with an energy boost. Cayden McCarthy allowed only an unearned run in five innings of work, which turned out to be all the Firebirds needed as they won by mercy rule.
The Firebirds scored in the second inning on a bases-loaded hit by pitch from B. Brodina. He was the second batter Bismarck hit in the inning. A four-run fourth made Devils Lake’s lead comfortable; the Demons issued four walks and committed two errors along with two passed balls in the frame.
Bismarck got its only run in the bottom of the fourth. A leadoff walk eventually scored after a passed ball and a wild pitch. The Demons still trailed 5-1.
Then a seven-run fifth inning officially put the game away. Hunter Remmick had an RBI single, and B. Brodina recorded a two-run double. The Firebirds ended up with nine walks in the five-inning contest. They managed to get 12 runs with only six hits — two of which were by P. Brodina.
McCarthy struck out five and walked three in his outing. He allowed only one hit.
Devils Lake now travels to Fargo for a Tuesday doubleheader against Shanley.
