North Dakota American Legion State Baseball Tournament Kicks Off

Pitching Gems and a Walk-Off Highlight Opening Day of AA State Legion Baseball Tournament in Williston

The North Dakota AA American Legion State Baseball Tournament got off to a strong start Monday in Williston, with sharp pitching and a dramatic finish giving fans plenty to cheer about on Day 1 of the weeklong event at Phil Rabon Field after Ardeen Aafedt Stadium still needed time to dry out, with action set to resume there on Wednesday.

Game 1: Mandan Chiefs vs. Grand Forks Royals

In the first game of the day, the Mandan Chiefs shut out the Grand Forks Royals, 3-0, behind a dominant performance from right-hander Ty Weiler. He went the distance, throwing all seven innings without allowing a run and giving up just two hits. Weiler struck out four and didn’t issue a walk as he kept the Royals’ bats quiet throughout the game.

Mandan scratched across a run in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a passed ball, then added another in the second when Mason Oster grounded into a double play that allowed a run to score. In the third, Dylan Gierke delivered an RBI double to right field to make it 3-0.

Grand Forks starter Griffin Haagenson turned in a strong outing of his own, giving up just five hits and striking out nine across six innings, but took the loss. Both teams played clean defense, with no errors recorded. Mandan also turned a key double play in the field.

Game 2: Williston Keybirds Vs. Jamestown Eagles

In the evening game, the host team, the Williston Keybirds thrilled the home crowd with a 4-3 walk-off win over the Jamestown Post 14 Eagles.

Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Chase Collings stepped up and laced a double that brought home the game-winning run. Williston had taken the early lead in the first on an RBI single by Connor Ekblad, but Jamestown rallied in the sixth with three runs. Jaxon Kolpin doubled in one, and Braxton Perkins followed with a two-run single to put the Eagles in front.

Williston answered in the bottom half of the sixth when Collin Mccuistion ripped a double down the right field line to tie the game.

Justin Irgens earned the win in relief for the Keybirds, allowing three runs on six hits over five innings. Hudson Rode took the loss for the Eagles despite pitching into the seventh. Jaxon Jeanotte came in to record the final out and earn the save.

Both teams played solid defense, with Jamestown committing no errors. Perkins led their offense with a 2-for-3 night and a pair of RBIs.

Tournament play continues throughout the week in Williston, with teams battling through the double-elimination bracket for a shot at the state title on August 2nd