Duluth knocked around the Larks for 13 runs and 20 hits.
Adam Cohen, cohena@allegheny.edu
Duluth, Minn. – The Huskies (30-38) head into the playoffs with a dynamic offense that defeated the Bismarck Larks (30-38) 13-3.
The Huskies scored 11 runs in their first four innings. Mike Boeve picked up an RBI base hit in all three plate appearances during the first three innings. Jake Brill also knocked in two runs during the first four innings.
Other notable contributors for the offense include Michael Sarhatt, Calyn Halvorson, and Dom Meza who each had a multi-RBI game. Additionally, Charlie Rhee and Calyn Halvorson scored three runs apiece. Lastly, Ryan McDonald and Jake Schelonka both drove in a run, while Bryan Broecker and Cason Tollett had multi-hit days at the plate.
On the pitching side of things, Xavier Fosbenner (1-3) had his best start of the season. He went five innings, allowing just two hits, three runs (two earned), one walk, and struck out three. Fosbenner was followed by Carter Sullivan and Justyn Schoening combined for four scoreless innings to mow down the Larks.
Several players played out of position for the Huskies in a game that had no further implications for the 2021 playoffs. For example, Xavier Carter (who throws from the left side) played third base, Bryan Broecker played third base and center field, and Brody Maynard was able to receive an at bat.
The Larks had a similar, yet more eye-popping strategy in a game that had no further implications for the 2021 playoffs. Brant Schaffitzel and Zach Reeder played eight of the nine positions on the baseball diamond. Schaffitzel played everywhere but right field, and Reeder played across the diamond with the exception of center field. Besides the starter Jacob Pinc, the last four relievers also played a position on the field.
The victory moves the Huskies to a final second-half record of 18-16, while the Larks close the half with a 12-21 record. The Huskies take on the Waterloo Bucks tomorrow for the first of a best-of-three Great Plains East playoff series at 4:05 PM in Waterloo, Iowa.
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The Duluth Huskies are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 250 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.duluthhuskies.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Huskies as your favorite team.
