(Photo Courtesy: Lyle Ripplinger)
Written By: Cody Shook, Larks Broadcaster
BISMARCK, ND– Matt Warkentin came up to the plate with bases loaded for the Bismarck Larks in the bottom of the 9th inning and hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score pinch runner, Wyatt Ulrich and take game one over the Mankato MoonDogs by the score of 3-2. The Larks are now 36-28-1 on the season and 11-17-1 in the second half.
A pitchers dual from start to finish between the MoonDogs and the Larks, Matt Butler started the game and threw six innings while only allowing one earned run and struck out eight batters. Mankato scored the first run of the game in the top of the 4th inning.
Their lead didn’t last long, as the Larks scored in the bottom of the 5th inning when Jack Feely singled and drove in Carson Bartels, who doubled to lead-off the inning.
One inning later, Matt Warkentin got on base with a one out single, and was driven in by Jeff Mayes to take a 2-1 lead.
Corey Treyes came on in relief and pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the 7th inning. Matt Ponsiglione pitched the 8th inning and didn’t give up any runs keeping the 2-1 lead.
In the top of the 9th inning, Chris Roycroft gave up one run on an infield single to tie the game 2-2.
The Larks didn’t back down, in the bottom of the 9th inning, Kyle Stevens walked with one out and then Conner Bock singled into right field. Mankato Decided to intentionally walk Mike Farnell to load the bases and send Matt Warkentin to the plate with one out. The Larks then pinch ran for Stevens standing at third base with Wyatt Ulrich. Warkentin then hit a sacrifice fly into centerfield which scored Ulrich easily to win the game.
The Larks won 3-2 and are now 36-28-1 on the season and 11-17-1 in the second half. The Larks will be back in action tomorrow at 3:05 against the Mankato MoonDogs in the final game of this two game home-stand before hitting the road for three days. Catch all the action on http://mixlr.com/larksbaseball/.
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The Bismarck Larks are a proud affiliate of the Northwoods League, the proven leader in development of elite college baseball players. The Larks mission is to use FUN to make a difference in the lives of our families, businesses, players, and communities we serve. This is accomplished with a commitment to putting fans first and providing high quality family entertainment at affordable prices. In 2017, the Larks sold out 27 of their 36 home games in Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, home of Dakota Community Bank and Trust Field, and were named the Northwoods League’s Organization of the Year.
The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 190 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
