The Worthington American Legion baseball team split four games at a tournament in Sioux Falls over the weekend.
On Friday, Worthington sustained its first loss of the season as it was defeated by Sioux Falls West 8-5. Three errors on defense were an issue in the game. Tate Gaul had a double and two RBIs in the game for Worthington, and Jake Brandner also had a double. Kent Lais was tagged with the pitching loss, throwing the first 5 1/3 innings.
On Saturday, Worthington scored three runs in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth to get past Ralston/Omaha 8-3. Blake Ahrenstorff started on the mound and tossed five sparkling shutout innings, allowing just one hit and walking none while striking out seven batters. Brandner got three hits and two RBIs, and Tommy Lais had two doubles and three RBIs.
Worthington won its following game against Chanhassen 8-3, thanks in large part to a six-run first inning. Nearly every starter had at least one hit, with Gaul contributing two hits and two RBIs and Brandner contributing a double. Brandner went 5 1/3 innings on the hill to get the pitching victory.
On Sunday morning, Worthington was hurt by what coach Tim Gaul called “catastrophically poor defense” and was beaten by Gillette, Wyoming 10-2. Tommy Lais had a pair of doubles and Brandner had a triple; Triston Sauerbrei took the loss on the mound, with many Gillette runs being unearned.
Worthington is now 9-2 on the season; it’s next game is Thursday in Marshall.
