Roughriders stumble in season opening doubleheader against Fargo Post 2
Jun. 9—DICKINSON — Sunny weather made for a good day at the diamond as the American Legion's Dickinson Roughriders opened their season with a home doubleheader against Fargo Post 2 on Wednesday. Unfortunately for them both games would result in loses against the experienced eastern team.
In both games Dickinson fell short offensively, missing clutch hits needed to launch the rally. Coach Tyler Frenzel noted that opportunities with runners in scoring position were there for the taking in multiple innings.
"We played well today. We had our chances, especially in that first game. We just didn't get the timely hits," Frenzel said. "We had runners on first and second a couple times and the lead runner on a few times too, but just didn't take advantage of our opportunities and they did."
Fargo took game one with a 7-2 finish, which began early.
Dickinson suffered three errors on the game, each compounding on early walks. Drew Kovash held the mound the first four innings, taking the loss in the process. Kovash struggled to find the strike zone early on, but did send three batters to the dugout before being relieved.
As large as the deficit was, it did not reflect the close contest. The Roughriders had seven hits, just two less than Post 2's nine. Dickinson's two runs came from a Carson Weiler single and a ground out RBI courtesy of Isaac Daley.
Aiden Haich, Colin Tschetter and Weiler each led the Roughriders in hits.
The second game featured a change in pace, quickly becoming a pitchers duel. The game would remain scoreless until the fourth inning, when Fargo got the lead on a three-run inning and never looked back. The second game ended 5-0.
"They had their ace on the mound and we had ours," Frenzel said. "They were battling and they came up with a couple of timely hits and that was pretty much the difference in that game."
Fargo's Elias Harris took the win after shutting out Dickinson's offense with six strikeouts through six and one-third innings.
Daley toed the rubber for the majority of the game for the Roughriders, showing finesse in painting the corners with breaking balls before blowing past batters. His performance was stellar through six, but faltered slightly in the last inning.
Daley did well to dig himself out of some pressing situations, delivering four strikeouts, but allowing nine hits and five runs in the process.
The Roughriders had no errors in game two and it showed when they performed a beautiful 5-4-3 double play that showcased the talent laden infield.
The next outing for the Roughriders will come in a round robin tournament beginning Friday. The three-day tourney will feature Tri-County, Billings and Valley City teams.
"It will be good for us to get some games in," Frenzel said. "Maybe play a few different guys in some different places and see where we are at and hopefully learn some things there too."
