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Rush City held Wrenshall to one run while scoring 21, pounding the Bird Dogs 10-0 and 11-1 in a season-opening doubleheader on Apr. 7.
They followed that up with a narrow 3-2 loss to conference opponent Barnum on Apr. 8. In game 1 against Wrenshall, John Bosman and Noah Reichert combined for a no-hitter, walking 2 and striking out 8.
"The best part of the day was that our pitchers threw the ball over the plate consistently," said Coach Bob Schlagel.
The Tigers had the game in the bag early, scoring 4 runs in the first inning on 4 hits. Bosman started the scoring with a 2 run single. Dan Gamache also had a single.
In the second inning, Adam Best and Ray Grabau each knocked in 2 runs with singles.
Center fielder Tony Webb also had 2 hits for the Tigers.
In game 2 Webb started the scoring for the Tigers with a 2-run single in the second inning. The Tigers poured in 8 runs in the 3rd inning on singles by Gamache, Adam Risland and Webb. Best picked up the win. He also had a single, a double and 2RBI. Outfielder Risland had 2 singles and 1 RBI.
"It was nice to start out the year with a couple of wins. The kids did some nice things today. However, we have a lot to work on, especially our hitting. Hopefully that will come as the year goes on," Schlagel said.
On Friday the Tigers led Barnum most of the way thanks to Bosman's 2-run homer in the 3rd inning. That lead held until inning 7, when Barnum tied the game with 2 outs. The Bombers won the game in the 8th on a home run by R.J. Keuer.
Bosman pitched 5 scoredless innings, giving up 3 hits and 1 walk and striking out 7.
Schlagel was upbeat about his team's performance.
"This was an outstanding game to be involved with. Both teams played extremely well. We had opportunities to score but we couldn't put down a bunt to advance runners into scoring position. Those little things come back to get you sooner or later. We played well but just came up short. Only being our third game and playing against a very good Barnum team, I was proud of the game we played and how we battled. We will get better," Schlagel said.
Up next: East Central at home Apr. 14; at Hinckley-Finlayson Apr. 19.
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