(Coon Rapids) Tanner Oswald’s 4th inning grand slam ended the game early and sent Coon Rapids-Bayard into a District Semifinal on Tuesday night. Oswald’s blast made the final score 18-0 over AHSTW in a game played in Coon Rapids on Saturday.
Six of the Crusader’s ten hits went for extra bases. The pitching staff was equally impressive as they allowed only one hit, no walks, and faced just 12 batters in the four inning game.
Kolby Culbertson went three scoreless innings and struck out three batters. AHSTW leadoff hitter Nick Denning posted a base hit to start the contest, but the next batter lined into a double play on a bunt attempt. The only other baserunner came off of reliever Easton Hays on an error in the 4th inning, but they were picked off and Hays struck out the other two batters he faced.
Class 1A’s 7th rated squad sent 20 batters to the plate over the first two innings. They scored six runs in the 1st and five more in the 2nd. Cal Heydon was 2/2 with two RBI, Lance Clayburg had an RBI double and scored four runs, Preston McAlister roped a two run triple, Oswald’s night included a double, a homer, and five RBI, and Culbertson had an RBI triple.
The Crusader’s pushed the lead to 12-0 through three innings and banged out four hits in a six run 4th to bring the mercy rule into play. They improve to 22-7 on the year and will host 12-9 Stanton on Tuesday. AHSTW is ousted with a 7-14 mark.
