Strong start propels Elks

BISMARCK — Eli Boyer struck out eight batters and walked only one in a five-hit complete game, as the Potosi Elks netted an 8-1 Senior Babe Ruth victory over the Bismarck Cardinals on Monday night.

Matt Marler and Blake Gilliam each finished 3-for-4 to pace the offense, and Logan Midgett blasted a solo home run for the Elks, who pounced for seven runs over the first two innings.

Cardinals hurler Eric Grundmann walked Andy Reed to begin the contest, and the Elks benefited from three first-inning errors. RBI singles from Marler and Brad Eaton quickly produced a 3-0 advantage.

Four runs crossed the plate in the second on a rally that originated with a two-out walk. Gilliam had the lone solid single during the inning after the Cardinals allowed a shallow fly to fall untouched.

Boyer carried his shutout into the fifth and retired six of seven lead-off batters faced. Midgett, who scored three times overall, made it 8-0 in the fourth with a drive that easily cleared the left-center fence.

The Cardinals wasted a one-out double from Robbie Eichenberger in the opening frame, then stranded two runner in the third. Eichenberger added a single to finish the night 2-for-2 in three plate appearances.

Consecutive singles from Ethan Graham and Matt Robinson sparked the Bismarck fifth, and both men reached scoring position with stolen bases. Eichenberger brought Graham home with his sacrifice fly to right.

The inning started with a defensive gem in foul territory, as Elks first baseman Patrick Reeves made a running over-the-shoulder catch near the fence.

Aaron Ross added a double off the bench, and a double play helped Levi Barton pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Cardinals.