McKenzie County Farmer - Sports

MCF Staff Reports

The Walleye 18U squad experienced a week of highs and lows, splitting a pair of games against the Minot Metros before battling through tournament play in Watford City and weekend contests against Belfield/South Heart, Gillette and Glendive.

Minot Metros 9, Walleye 18U 3
The 2026 Minot Metros used a seven-run fifth inning to pull away for a 9-3 victory over Walleye 18U Wednesday at Corbett Field.
The Metros jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI groundout by Garrett Nikitenko and an RBI single from Brody Johnson. Walleye answered in the third, tying the game on an RBI double by Isaiah Leahy and an RBI groundout from Brandon Spacher.
Minot broke the game open in the fifth, scoring seven runs on six hits. Owen Meyer delivered the key hit with a two-run single.
Bradley Clark started for Walleye, allowing nine runs on 11 hits over six innings while striking out one. Meyer earned the win for Minot, tossing six innings with eight strikeouts while allowing three runs.
Johnson led the Metros by going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Owen Sundahl and Cole Deaver added multiple hits, while Meyer and Sundahl each stole two bases as Minot finished with six steals.
Joseph Brothers and Erin Luna each collected two hits for Walleye. Spacher, Leahy and Clark each drove in a run.

Minot Metros 13, Walleye 18U 2
The Metros completed the sweep Wednesday with a 13-2 win behind a 14-hit attack.
Walleye scored twice in the opening inning on a wild pitch and an RBI single by Erin Luna, but Minot answered with four runs in the bottom half. Brady Vigested drove in one run with a single, Garrett Nikitenko delivered a two-run triple, and Grady Weppler was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
The Metros added four more runs in the second before extending the lead with three runs in the third.
Luna took the loss after allowing 13 runs on 14 hits in 3 1/3 innings. Owen Sundahl earned the win for Minot, giving up two runs over five innings.
Nikitenko went 3-for-3 with four RBIs, while Meyer and Vigested also collected three hits each. Meyer stole five bases as the Metros swiped seven bags.
Isaiah Leahy finished 2-for-2 for Walleye, while Luna drove in one run.

Walleye 18U 9, Volunteers 16U 8
Walleye rallied from a four-run deficit Thursday in Watford City to edge Volunteers 16U, 9-8.
Brandon Spacher opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first, but Volunteers answered with two runs in the second before Carter Branstrom’s RBI single gave Walleye a 3-2 lead in the third.

Volunteers reclaimed the advantage with three runs in the fourth before Walleye erupted for five runs in the fifth. Spacher started the rally with an RBI double, Joseph Brothers added an RBI single, Erin Luna scored on a sacrifice fly by Harper Moberg, and Bradley Clark capped the inning with an RBI double.
Branstrom earned the win after allowing seven runs, only three earned, over six innings while striking out five. Moberg recorded the save.
Branstrom and Spacher each had two hits and two RBIs. Walleye stole six bases, with Branstrom swiping two.

Volunteers 16U 11, Walleye 18U 1
Volunteers responded later Thursday with an 11-1 victory.
Walleye took an early 1-0 lead in the second on Joseph Brothers’ RBI single before Volunteers exploded for eight runs in the third inning. Azariah Ho highlighted the rally with a three-run inside-the-park home run.
Jude Tibor earned the win, allowing one run over five innings while striking out five. Onan Santos took the loss for Walleye.
Brothers and Brandon Spacher each recorded a hit for Walleye.

Walleye 18U 8, Belfield/South Heart Post 144 Knights 3
Walleye returned to the win column Saturday with an 8-3 victory over Belfield/South Heart Post 144 Knights.
Braylen Tolbert and Rylen Petersen each drove in runs during a two-run first inning before Tolbert added another RBI with a double in the third.
Brandon Spacher picked up the win in relief, allowing one run over two innings. Erin Luna earned the save, while Cale also pitched in relief.
Tolbert went 2-for-2 with two RBIs, while Tolbert and Isaiah Leahy each collected two hits. Walleye drew seven walks and stole six bases.

Walleye 18U 9, Gillette Rustlers 7
Walleye erased a five-run deficit Saturday to earn a dramatic 9-7 comeback victory over the Gillette Rustlers.
After trailing 6-1 following Gillette’s six-run second inning, Walleye chipped away before taking the lead with three runs in the seventh. Rylen Petersen, Cale and Jace Langerud each delivered RBI singles in the decisive rally.
Erin Luna earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief, while Harper Moberg recorded the save. Brandon Spacher struck out seven in four innings as the starter.
Langerud drove in two runs, while Braylen Tolbert collected two hits. Walleye showed patience at the plate with 11 walks and turned two double plays.

Glendive Blue Devils A 20,
Walleye 18U 3
Glendive Blue Devils A erupted for 14 runs in the fourth inning Sunday to roll past Walleye, 20-3.
The Blue Devils built an early lead before sending 18 batters to the plate during the decisive fourth inning. Quinn Hoffer homered during the rally, while Brock McPherson and Hoffer each drove in four runs.
Brooks McBride earned the win, allowing three runs over five innings. Cale took the loss for Walleye.
Carter Branstrom, Erin Luna, Harper Moberg, Rylen Petersen and Isaiah Leahy each recorded a hit for Walleye. Luna, Moberg and Petersen each drove in a run.

Glendive Blue Devils A 15,
Walleye 18U 1
Glendive completed the sweep Sunday with a 15-1 victory, scoring 12 runs in the fourth inning.
After taking a 2-0 lead in the first, the Blue Devils extended the margin to 3-1 before the explosive fourth inning put the game out of reach.
Cy Eaton struck out nine over five innings to earn the win. Carter Branstrom took the loss despite five strikeouts, with only three of the 15 runs charged as earned.
Joseph Brothers, Harper Moberg, Rylen Petersen and Isaiah Leahy each had one hit for Walleye, while Moberg drove in the team’s lone run.
Gradin Sukut led Glendive by going 4-for-4 with four RBIs, while Thayden Hatfield and Brock McPherson each added multiple hits.