Esko Tops Barnum In Extra Inning Baseball

Wes Vork-NSO

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Apr 8

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The Esko Eskomos exploded for nine runs in the top of the 8th inning breaking a 7-7 tie to go on and win their season opener over Barnum by a score of 16-7.

The extra inning win came at the expense of the Bombers, who were in position to win the game in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Jordan Balow and Max Reinertson made diving catches to prevent the Bombers from winning in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Eskomos and Bombers battled like they normally would in a Polar League contest, and the Bombers had a golden opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the seventh. With two runners on and only one out, Esko stopped the Bombers. They then offensively came alive, scoring 9 runs in the top of the eighth to take the wind out of the Bombers sail and come away with their first win of the season.

“We battled all game,” Barnum head coach Tony Bender told Northland Sports Online. “We scored two runs to tie the game in the bottom of the 7th inning, but we could not seal the game with two runners on base and one out in the bottom of the seventh.” Bender also mentioned, “Our pitching needs to improve; we can’t give up 13 walks and expect to win.”

The Eskomos bats were going all day as they pounded out 15 hits to go along with the 13 walks; they scored 16 runs in the win. Offensively, Esko was led by Richard Jubie, who finished 3-for-5 with 4 runs batted in and two doubles. Adam Deveau went 2-for-3 with 3 runs batted in. Cody Townsend was also 2-for-3, Jake Stainbrook, Max Reinertson and Boyd Smith all added 2 hits for the Eskomos in the win.

The Bombers were led offensively by Zach Slater, who went 2-for-3 with 2 runs batted in. Stephan Swanson was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs, while Taylor Carlson and Justin Newman each had two hits for the Bombers in the loss. Barnum starts the season 0-1 and will face Rush City on Friday afternoon.

Esko goes to 1-0 and hosts Moose Lake-Willow River next Tuesday at home.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at Dwight@northlandsportsonline.com