Braves fend off Chargers comeback with late win

BISMARCK – The Bismarck Braves put together a four-run inning in the bottom of the sixth and were able to hold on in the top of the seventh as the Arcadia Valley Chargers threatened again with the tying run at the plate after scoring three runs and only one out. Braves’ pitcher Shawn Mork got his team out of the final jam as he picked off one runner and then struck out the batter to give the Braves a 13-10 win.

Early walks resulted in both starting pitchers seeing short action. The Chargers took advantage of three walks and a hit batter to score a lone run in the top of the first. The Braves answered in the bottom of the inning with Joe Hulsey scoring on a passed ball after successfully stealing third.

Infield singles by Eli Vandergriff and Takota Jones and drive to center by Tatum Jones sparked a three-run second for the Chargers, but again the Braves answered back with a two run single by Hulsey and a bases-loaded walk by Timmy Mork.

The Braves were finally able to take the lead in the bottom of the third Dalton Dugal singled and then advanced to the next three bases on two passed balls and a wild pitch. The Chargers were able to get out of the inning with no more harm on a double play turned by Tatum Jones at short.

Both teams scored two runs in the fourth inning to keep it a one run game, but the Braves pulled off a double play in the fifth in claiming the only 1-2-3 inning of the game, and they claimed the lead for good with a two run frame of their own.

Hulsey drove in a run on an infield single and Malcolm Hawkins drilled a ball into left-center for a double to drive in the second run. Hulsey finished 3-4 with a walk to drive in four runs for the Braves.

Bismarck’s big sixth inning included a Hulsey RBI single, but it was Joey Gyllion who came up with the clincher as his two-out single drove in the final two runs for the Braves.

Four straight singles by Tatum Jones, Takota Jones, Peyton Whited and Adam Canterberry provided the three-run rally in the Chargers last at-bats.

Jacob Gibson slides in with a stolen base in the second inning for the Braves as Chargers shortstop Tatum Jones takes the throw. Gibson would eventually score the first run of the inning for the Braves.

Garrett Smith drives a single in the third inning to load the bases for the Chargers.