Late last week, the Garretson Legion baseball team finished off their regular season. Despite a loss, they took on regions with a new attitude, winning the first game against Baltic quite handily. They were unable to overcome the one-point lead during the second game of regions, and moved into the consolation bracket against Flandreau on Tuesday afternoon.
Late Score Costs Garretson Legion Against Canova Gang
The final regular season game against Canova Gang was a heartbreaker for Garretson Legion, as they lost the lead late in a 4-1 defeat on Friday, July 15. The game was tied at one with Canova Gang batting in the bottom of the sixth when Lane Miller singled on a 1-2 count, scoring two runs and effectively ending the game.
In the first inning, Garretson Legion got their offense started. They scored one run when Jake Schroeder singled.
Griffin Clubb pitched Canova Gang to victory. The righthander surrendered zero runs on zero hits over three innings, striking out four and walking zero. Luke Koepsell threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.
Ryan Flanagan took the loss for Garretson Legion. Flanagan surrendered four runs on zero hits over one-third of an inning, striking out one.
Jayse Miller started the game for Garretson Legion. The righty went four innings, allowing zero runs on three hits, striking out one and walking zero.
Jack Neises started the game for Canova Gang. Neises allowed two hits and one run over three innings, striking out six and walking zero.
Dylan Kindt, Schroeder, and Flanagan each collected one hit to lead Garretson Legion.
Clubb led Canova Gang with two hits in three at bats.
Garretson Legion Defeats Baltic Legion Post 175 in Blow Out Victory Thanks to Fifth Inning Boost
A seven-run fifth inning led Garretson Legion to a 12-2 victory on Monday during the first round of region play-offs.
The rally was led with singles by Jaylen Kemp, Ryan Flanagan, Tayson Swatek, Jake Schroeder and Cole Koch.
Garretson Legion pulled away for good with four runs in the third inning. In the third Colby Buseman doubled on a 3-2 count, scoring one run, Jayse Miller singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run, Nate Skillman doubled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run, and Kemp's sac fly scored one run for Garretson Legion.
Garretson Legion scored seven runs in the fifth inning. Kemp, Flanagan, Koch, Swatek, and Schroeder powered the big inning with RBIs.
Miller led the Garretson Legion to victory on the mound. The pitcher surrendered two runs on three hits over five innings, striking out three.
Andrew VanDam took the loss for Baltic Legion Post 175. The pitcher lasted four innings, allowing 11 hits and 11 runs while striking out two and walking one.
Garretson Legion tallied 13 hits on the day. Swatek, Buseman, Flanagan, Miller, and Kemp all had multiple hits for Garretson Legion. Swatek led Garretson Legion with three hits in four at bats.
Garretson Legion Fights Back in Loss to Volga Legion 2022
In the second round of regions held later that Monday, Garretson Legion fought back after falling down by four runs in the fourth inning. The comeback fell just short though, in a 4-3 defeat to Volga Legion 2022.
Garretson Legion scored three runs in the failed comeback on a double by Colby Buseman and a groundout by Jayse Miller.
Garretson Legion couldn't keep up with Volga Legion 2022 early in the game. Volga Legion 2022 took the lead on a walk in the first inning, and brought their lead to 3 at the top of the third when B. Schiller doubled on a fly ball. The lead was cinched at 4 at the top of the 4th, when Buseman allowed a walk.
Garretson Legion came back from zero and scored three runs in the sixth inning. Garretson Legion's offense in the inning came from a groundout by Miller and a double by Buseman. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to overcome Volga's slight lead.
"Our Legion boys gave it a fight last night," said coach Jay Swatek.
Damian Danzeisen led the Volga Legion 2022 to victory on the mound. The righty surrendered three runs on six hits over six innings, striking out five and walking zero. Parker Puetz threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Puetz recorded the last three outs to earn the save for Volga Legion 2022.
Buseman took the loss for Garretson Legion. The pitcher went five and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on three hits and striking out 11.
Jake Schroeder, Ryan Flanagan, Carson Clark, Buseman, Miller, Dylan Kindt, and Tayson Swatek each collected one hit to lead Garretson Legion.
Volga Legion 2022 was sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error. Carson Christopherson had the most chances in the field with nine.
The Garretson Legion team then moved into the consolation bracket, successfully taking on Post 70 Flandreau on Tuesday afternoon 5-3.
The final playoff game was against Madison on Wednesday. Unfortunately, despite a solid lead into the bottom of the 6th, the team took the loss and ended their final game of the season at 11-14.
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UPDATED 7/21/22: Article updated with results from final two playoff games.
