CREIGHTON – Pender stayed alive in the Class C Junior Legion State Baseball Tournament by beating Wakefield 8-2 in an elimination game on Tuesday in Creighton, in a game aired on 107.9 The Bull.
Pender scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning to take an early 4-0 lead.
Tyler Olson started the inning with a single, then Nick Buchholz drew a walk. Olson scored on an RBI base hit by Owen Kneifl. A sacrifice bunt by Alex Hathaway moved the runners into scoring position, which was followed by a walk for Aiden Beckman. Ross Tremayne hit a two-RBI single, scoring Kneifl and Buchholz. Beckman would also score.
Pender added three runs in the fourth inning to go up 7-0. Kneifl and Hathaway led off he inning with back-to-back base hits. Beckman hit an RBI single that scored Kneifl. Hathawaty scored on an RBI groundout by Tremayne, and Beckman scored after Pierce Paulsen reached on an error.
Wakefield scored a run in the top of the fifth when Cade Johnson reached home on an RBI single by Mason Lamprecht.
Wakefield scored again in the sixth inning when Ryan Anderson reached on a walk and later score.
This mad ehte score 7-2 in favor of Pender.
Pender added one more run in the bottom of the sixth, as Paulsen drew a walk and then scored on an RBI ground rule double by Michael Cooney.
Wakefield had baserunners in the seventh, but were unable to score.
The final score favored Pender 8-2.
Aiden Beckman was the winning pitcher for Pender, going four and a third innings, allowing one run on six hits, with fourth strikeouts, two walks and two hit batters. Ross Tremayne finished the game in relief, allowing one run with six strikeouts, two walks and two hit batters.
Jonathan Birkley suffered the loss for Wakefield, pitching five and one third innings, allowing eight runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and four walks. Jacob Birkley finished the game in relief, allowing a hit and two walks.
Pender advances to play Malcolm on Wednesday night at 8:00. It is an elimination game for Pender, while Malcolm remains undefeated.
The game will be broadcast on 107.9 The Bull.
