Goebert Five-Hitter Not Enough As Norse Fall, 2-0
This story was written by Bay College Sports Information
ROSEMOUNT, MN – A rainy Friday rearranged the weekend schedule for the Bay Norse (3-23), but they were able to play the first in the seven-game play-in series to earn the right to represent the east sub-region in the Region 13 Tournament. What was originally scheduled for a doubleheader, turned into a wet single seven-inning game. The Dakota County Technical College Blue Knights (5-10-1) were able to hold of Bay and steal a 2-0 win.
The Blue Knights took the lead early. After a one out single by Cole Mahlum (FR, Brookings, SD) turned into a run when defense let the Norse down. After Mahlum stole second he was able to advance to third after a passed ball. That put him in position to score the opening run on a defensive error.
Meanwhile the Norse stranded runners in the first and second, and missed on a big opportunity in the fourth. Singles by Dalton Graham (SO, Sault Ste. Marie, MI) and Grant Craft (SO, Canberra, Australia) led off the inning, and a successful sacrifice by Carlos Velarde (FR, Panama City, Panama) put the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. An error loaded the bases, but a hard hit groundball right to second base erased the opportunity with a double play.
Both teams put runners on in the fifth to no avail. The Blue Knights manufactured a run in the sixth. After a one-out single, an error extended the inning. With runners at second and third, Bay chose to walk the next hitter, creating a force play at all bases, but with two strikes Antonio Manos (FR, Coon Rapids, MN) executed a push bunt to the right side that worked as a sacrifice, plating the insurance run.
After two quick outs in the seventh, Bay had one last gasp effort. Sam Williams (FR, Oxford, MI) dropped a single into center and with two strikes Hector Araguayan (SO, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela) was hit by a pitch. After Dante Sartorelli (SO, Menominee, MI) worked a walk to load the bases, DCTC made a call to the pen. Brandon Gerster (FR, Hamton, MN) was able to get a groundball to get out of the jam and earn a save for the home team.
The Norse had runners on in every inning but the third and would leave nine on.
Nick Goebert pitched well, but was saddled with the tough-luck loss. He went all six and gave up five hits, one walk, and two unearned runs. He struck out five.
Allex Ege (SO, Shakopee, MN) scattered five hits and three walks in his six and two-thirds effort. He struck out six batters.
The two teams have moved their Saturday doubleheader to noon start in the hopes of avoiding some forecasted precipitation. Those games will count as the second and third installments of the play-in series. Games four through seven will be played in Escanaba on May 6 and 7.
