(Coon Rapids) Stanton scored all ten of their runs in the final three innings in a comeback win over Audubon on Saturday. The Vikings are advancing in the Class 1A District 15 bracket with a 10-4 decision over the Wheelers.
Nolan Grebin fired 5 1/3 solid innings on the mound to earn the victory. He gave up four hits, one walk, hit one batter, and struck out seven. Carter Johnson got the final out of the 6th and fired a 1-2-3 7th inning. Johnson walked one, gave up no hits, and struck out three.
Stanton stared a 3-0 deficit in the face from the 1st inning all the way until the 5th. Audubon struck early with seven batters going to the plate in the opening frame. Aaron Olsen singled and Gavin Smith walked. Gavin Larsen hit a ground ball to score Olsen while Smith motored home on a throwing error. With two outs in the inning, Evan Alt connected on an RBI single.
Olsen also posted a single in the 2nd inning, but Gavin Smith’s base hit in the 5th inning would be the only other Audubon hit in the game.
The Vikings capitalized on Audubon’s defensive struggles in the 5th. They scored three runs to tie the game. Levi Martin and Jacob Martin had hits in the inning. Multiple Wheeler errors led to runs.
Audubon’s Gavin Smith stole home in the bottom of the 5th to help his squad reclaim the lead at 4-3, but it was short lived. Stanton swung the momentum fully in their favor with a four run 6th to lead 7-4. Quentin Thornburg and Jacob Martin had RBI hits in the inning while other runs scored on a wild pitch and a passed ball. The Vikings drew two walks and had one batter hit by a pitch as they sent eight batters to the plate.
Carter Johnson’s bases clearing double in the top of the 7th extended the lead to 10-4. Walks by Kywin Tibben, Levi Martin, and Nolan Grebin set the stage for Johnson’s big hit.
Braden Wessel pitched the first three innings for Audubon. Wessel gave up no runs on two hits, one walk, and struck out five. Gavin Smith pitched 3 1/3 innings with six runs allowed (three earned) on three hits and four walks with three strikeouts. Gavin Larsen allowed three earned runs on one hit and two walks with two K’s in 2/3 of an inning.
Stanton improves to 12-9 and will face Class 1A #7 (22-7) Coon Rapids-Bayard in Coon Rapids on Tuesday. Audubon’s season ends at 11-12.
