The Oilers won the opening game 10-6, while losing the nightcap 16-6.
In the opening game, the Oilers were sparked by the pitching performance of Jeff Beckman, who pitched 6 1/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs, while striking out seven and walking two.
“Jeff has really been struggling with his control this year," said Oilers coach Greg McNary. "We adjusted his arm angle to come more over the top, which seemed to allow him to spot the ball better. That, together with an extremely consistent zone by the plate umpire, seemed to have a lot to do with his success today,”
Kolten Paryzek led the offensive charge for Williston, finishing with two hits, including a triple. He also drove home a run and scored three runs. Chaz Mosby went 2-for-4 batting ninth for Williston with three RBIs. Caleb Turcotte also had two hits, including a double and drove in a run. “Kolten has been hitting out of our DH spot lately, but we are really trying to find him a spot defensively to get his bat in the lineup. The DH is not used at the state tournament,” McNary said. “Overall, I was pleased to get 10 hits of a pretty darn good pitcher in Austin (Dhuyvetter).”
Crosby was paced by Brock Overbo at the plate. He finished with two hits and an RBI. Dhuyvetter had a double, an RBI and scored two times, while Morgan Jacobs had a triple and an RBI.
In the nightcap, the Cubs scored 13 runs over the course of the first two innings en route to the victory, ending in five innings due to the 10-run rule.
“I was a little concerned early about the left field wall, as we had some pitches up and they kept putting dents in it out there,” McNary said. “We were a little better at getting the ball down in the zone as the game went on, but you just can’t leave as many pitches up as we did against a good club like Crosby, and expect to win.”
Kyle Stephens pitched the complete game for Crosby, limiting the Oilers to five hits, while striking out eight.
“Kyle is a fine athlete who has competed at the highest level in this state in hockey. His curveball got better and better as the game went along and in tough spots tonight he just wanted it more than us. You can only tip your hat to that young man,” said McNary.
Stephens also helped his own cause at the plate, finishing with a double, two RBIs and scored three runs. Overbo finished the nightcap with three hits, including a double, and four RBIs.
Williston's Riley Klevin finished with a double, while Corey Langerud scored three runs.
“I think what we saw here tonight is one of the better Class B teams in the Northwest Region," McNary said. "We look forward to playing them each year because they are a class act who show up and know how to play the game. (Friday) they were missing some key guys and they still took it to us. Because Monte (Ellingson) is a rock solid coach, they are going to be competitive no matter who they have in the lineup. We wish them nothing but success as their season continues.”
Williston (5-13) will play at Glendive, Mont., on Monday evening for a doubleheader against the Blue Devils, beginning at 6:30 p.m. (Williston time). After Monday, the Oilers will also host Bismarck on Wednesday in a doubleheader, beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Game 1
Crosby 001 220 1 ” 6 5 5
Williston 124 111 X ” 10 10 4
Austin Dhuyvetter and Kyle Stephens. Jeff Beckman, Marcus Fearing (7) and Caleb Turcotte. WP”Beckman (2-0). SV-Fearing (1). LP”Dhuyvetter.
Game 2
Crosby 670 30 ” 16 11 2
Williston 103 0 2” 6 5 4
Kyle Stephens and Austin Dhuyvetter. Kole Marquez, Chaz Mosby (1), Casey Axtman (2), Tucker Overland (3), Brady Lysne (4), Marcus Fearing (5) and Caleb Turcotte.
WP”Stephens. LP”Marquez (0-1)
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