Voyageurs Baseball Swept by Itasca Despite Strong Showing at Plate

The Voyageurs baseball team played two doubleheaders over the weekend against MN North-Itasca. In game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader, bats were strong against Itasca, but it wasn’t enough as the Voyageurs fell 18-11. Itasca collected 20 hits, while Rainy River had 12. Rainy River tied the game up in the bottom of the seventh thanks to two home runs, one by Austin Jackson-Anderson. Justin Payne took the loss for the Voyageurs, the hurler went one-third of an inning, giving up three runs on one hit, striking out none and walking two. Johnny Lopez stepped on the mound first, the right-handed pitcher surrendered 12 hits and 10 runs over six and one-third innings, striking out four and walking four. Tanner Aros drove the middle of the lineup, leading Rainy River Voyageurs with three runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-4 on the day. Dustin Vivian-Vea, the number eight hitter, led the team with three hits in four at-bats. Christian Cortes, Tom Rombauts, and Josh Johnson each collected multiple hits for Rainy River Voyageurs.

Game 2 on Saturday was close but the Voyageurs could not keep up losing 7-5 as Collin Haymond took the loss starting at pitcher. He went six innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits, striking out four and walking three. Tom Rombauts led the team with two runs batted in. The infielder went 1-for-3 on the day. Josh Johnson led with two hits in four at bats.

For Sunday’s game 1, Rainy River fell to Itasca 11-10 on the final play of the game, it was tied at 10 in the bottom of the seventh when Thomas Vekich singled, scoring one run. Rainy River collected nine hits and the Vikings had 12 in the high-scoring affair. Leo Meraz took the loss going one and one-third innings, surrendering two runs on two hits, striking out one and walking one. Preston Dyok led things off on the bump for Rainy River, the starter gave up six hits and six runs (two earned) over four and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking five. Christian Cortes, the number seven hitter for Rainy River Voyageurs, led the way with four runs batted in. The right fielder went 3-for-4 on the day. Ian Becker and Gerardo Alcantar Jr. each collected multiple hits as the team had a strong eye at the plate, piling up eight walks for the game. Dustin Vivian-Vea and Josh Johnson led the team with two bases on balls each.

Sunday’s game 2 saw the Rainy River Voyageurs fall 8-1 to Itasca to complete the weekend sweep. Archer Westgarth took the loss, the starting pitcher went five and two-thirds innings, giving up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits, striking out two and walking four. Christian Cortes, Tom Rombauts, Ian Becker, and Leo Meraz each collected one hit as Chavez Kanakaole led the team with one run batted in.