hi-liner-softball-2019

MINOT, N.D. (News Dakota.com) – Logan Gronberg’s second home run of the game came with a teammate on base with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning leading Bismarck to a 8-7 extra innings win over Valley City in the semifinals of the state softball tournament on Minot.

The Hi-Liners took the lead in the top of the eighth on Eliza Johnson’s rbi single with no out. Grace Scherr leadoff the inning with a single. After she stole second, Johnson singled to score Scherr.

In the bottom of the eighth. Maddy Steckler hit a one-out single to center field. Then on an 1-2 pitch, Gronberg launched a bomb over the left field fence. It was her second of the game and 18th on the year.

The Demons broke a 2-2 tie on Peyton Gerving’s rbi single in the 3rd inning to make it 3-2. They would tack on three more in the fourth on Paige Hansen’s three-run triple with two out to make it 6-2.

The Hi-Liners would tie the game at 6 in the top of the sixth. Grace Scherr scored on a wild pitch after a one out single and two stolen bases. Eliza Johnson singled then after a steal of second went to third on Becca Thompson’s single. Hailey Schaefer would single in Johnson. On the play Becca Thompson took third. Schaefer took second despite a close play. When Bismarck threw to second to get try and get  Schaefer, Thompson headed home. The throw was there in time to get her. But the home plate umpire called Thompson safe because catcher Emma Barta tagged Thompson with the glove, but had the ball in her bare hand.  That play made it 6-5 Bismarck. Eliza Schueneman bounced out pitcher to first but on the throw to first, Schaefer came across to score the tying run.

Valley City started the scoring with rbi singles from Thompson and Schuenenman in the first inningh.

Gronberg’s first home run came with two out and no one on base. The Demons would take the lead with a run in the second and a run in the third.

Becca Thompson, Emma Mielke and Eliza Schueneman all had two hits. Johnson and Schefer had three hits.

Schaefer took the loss in the circle going  7 1/3 innings. She walked three and struck out nine. She allowed 12 hits and eight runs with five runs earned.

Valley City will play Bismarck Century today at 12:30 for third place. The Patriots lost in walkoff fashion to as West Fargo scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for the 3-2 win.

DAY 2 Results from State Tournament:

Dickinson 8 Fargo North 7 F/9

Minot 13 West Fargo Sheyenne 2 – F/5

West Fargo 3, Bismarck Century 2

Bismarck 8, Valley City 7  F/8

Saturday’s Schedule

10am – Consolation Championship –  Minot vs. Dickinson

12:30 – Third Place Game – Valley City vs. Bismarck Century

3:00pm – Championship – West Fargo vs. Bismarck -LINER