July 29, 2009

Walleye season ends at Section 6 Baseball Tourney

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

The Watford City Walleye were hoping that this would be the year that they would make it to the State American Legion Tournament. And they got off to a good start winning their opening game in the Section 6 Tournament, which was held in Watford City last week, defeating Ray 9-4 on Wednesday. But the hopes and dreams for the Walleye came to a quick end as Watford City fell to Makoti 4-3 and then to Tioga 16-7 in loser out action on Thursday.
Watford City 9, Ray 4
Despite being out-hit 9-6, Watford City scored when they had runners on base and took advantage of several miscues by Ray to win their first game of the Section 6 Tournament last Wednesday.
Holding a 3-2 lead, Watford City exploded for five runs in the bottom of the third inning to take control of the game.
Ben Haugeberg picked up the win for the Walleye on the mound striking out 10 batters.
At the plate, Trey Jacobson had two doubles while Haugeberg and Nick Liebel scored twice for the Walleye.
Makoti 4, Watford City 3
Holding a comfortable 3-0 lead going into the fifth inning, it looked like Watford City was going to be the easy winner against Makoti in Thursday’s action of the Section 6 Tournament. But Watford City’s good fortune changed dramatically on two swings by Makoti batters.
Makoti’s Trevor Baker hit a three-run home run blast in the fifth inning to tie the score at 3-3 and then a solo homer by Jaren Enockson in the seventh inning gave Makoti the win.
Trey Jacobson picked  up the loss for the Walleye striking out six batters while giving up just six hits.
Tioga 16, Watford City 7
Watford City had no answer for Tioga’s 10-run seventh inning as the Walleye dropped a 16-7 decision and were eliminated from the Section 6 Tournament during American Legion action on Thursday.
After trailing Tioga 4-2, the Walleye scored two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take a 6-4 lead into the seventh inning.
But once again, the Walleye were unable to hold on for the win.
Tioga’s Tyler Lalim broke the 6-6 tie in the seventh inning with a three-run homer and then the Pirates just kept scoring. In the seventh inning, Tioga sent 17 batters to the plate while scoring 12 runs on 11 hits.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER