Walleye improve to 11-1 in league play
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
In a busy week of baseball action, Watford City’s American Legion team swept Makoti in two games, fell to Glendive and then split with Renville County before falling to Glendive. The Walleye’s record now stands at 17-4 overall and 11-1 in league play.
This week, the Walleye will host the State Senior Babe Ruth Tournament on July 14 through 17 and then head into the American Legion sectional tournament which begins on July 17.
Walleye 14, Makoti 4
Walleye 22, Makoti 4
Watford City got off to a slow start against Makoti last Tuesday, but finished strong winning the double-header with scores of 14-4 and 22-4.
In the first game, after playing to a 3-3 tie after two innings, the Walleye outscored Makoti 11-1 in the next two innings to take the win.
Nick Liebel picked up the win on the mound for Watford City.
At the plate, Trey Jacobson was three for four with a double, three RBIs and two runs; Dillon Langerud was one for one, a RBI and one run; Nick Liebel was one for three with a RBI and two runs; Doug Rolfson was two for four with a RBI and a run; Blake Wold was two for two with a double and a run; and Paul Martin was one for one with two runs.
While Watford City got off to a slow start in their first game against Makoti, the Walleye’s bats were hot in the second game as Watford City scored 22 runs on 18 to complete the sweep.
Doug Nordby led the Walleye at the plate going five for five including two doubles and a grand slam home run to the end game with eight runs batted in.
Doug Rolfson earned the win on the mound striking out seven batters and giving up just five hits.
At the plate Nick Liebel was three for four with a double and a triple, five RBIs and four runs; Trey Jacobson was three for four with a double and a home run, three RBIs and four runs; Jayden Grotte was one for two with two runs; Abe Liebel was two for two with a double and two RBIs; Blake Wold was one for one with a RBI and one run; and Chris Larsen was two for two with a RBI and one run.
Game 1 R H E
Watford City 2 1 5 6 x 14 12 0
Makoti 2 1 0 1 0 4 8 2
Game 2 R H E
Watford City 4 6 3 1 8 22 18 3
Makoti 1 0 2 1 0 4 5 2
Glendive 14, Walleye 6
Watford City just can’t get past Glendive. For the second time this season, the Walleye couldn’t find the winning combination to earn the win against a very solid Montana team.
“We hit the ball alright and Dillon competed well on the mound for us,” stated Spacher. “But we have to play better defensive ball against good teams like Glendive.”
Watford City found themselves trailing Glendive 2-1 after three innings of play and then put up four runs in the fourth to hold a 4-2 lead after the top of the fourth inning. But Glendive came right back scoring five runs in the bottom of the fourth and then adding four more runs in the fifth inning.
Dillon Langerud took the loss on the mound for the Walleye.
At the plate, Trey Jacobson was one for five with two RBIs and one run, Dillon Langerud was two for four with one RBI and one run, Doug Rolfson was two for four with a double and two RBIs, Blake Wold was one for three with two runs, and Paul Martin was two for three.
R H E
Watford City 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 2 0 6 10 6
Glendive 1 0 1 5 4 1 2 0 x 14 13 1
Renville County 6, Walleye 5
Walleye 13, Renville County 3
Watford City bounced back from a 6-5 loss to Renville County to take the second game 13-3. With the split the Walleye earned the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Legion Tournament in Renville County.
After playing to a 1-1 tie after two innings, Renville County jumped out to a 6-2 lead after three innings. But Watford City kept the game close scoring one run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth inning.
Doug Rolfson took the loss on the mound for the Walleye in the first game with Nick Liebel picking up the win in the second game.
“Nick was huge for us on the mound and at the plate,” stated Pat Spacher, Walleye head coach. “Offensively it was a total team effort as every starter had at least one hit.”
At the plate in the first game, Trey Jacobson was two for four, Nick Liebel was two for two with two runs, Doug Rolfson was three for four with a double and three RBIs, Doug Nordby was one for two with a RBI, Lucas Nicholson was two for four and Brandon Taylor was one for two with one run.
In the second game, Trey Jacobson was three for four with a double, four RBIs and three runs; Dillon Langerud was three for four with two RBIs and two runs; Nick Liebel was two for four with a home run, three RBIs and one run; Doug Rolfson was one for four with two runs; Doug Nordby was one for three and two runs; Reid Johnson was one for two with a home run, two RBIs and two runs; Chris Larsen was one for three with one RBI; Lucas Nicholson was two for four with a double, one RBI and one run; and Brandon Taylor was one for three with one RBI and one run.
Game 1 R H E
Watford City 1 0 1 0 1 2 0 5 12 1
Renville County 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 6 11 0
Game 2 R H E
Watford City 4 3 0 0 4 2 x 13 15 3
Renville County 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 1