As event host, Albion Cornerstone entered the American Legion Area 2 Juniors Tournament with high hopes.
Albion, seeded 5th of seven teams, could not find a winning combination, however, and was ousted from the double-elimination tourney with losses to Battle Creek and Creighton this past weekend at Leon Nelson Memorial Field at the Albion Sports Complex.
B. Creek 6, Albion 3
Albion Cornerstone opened Area 2 play Friday against Battle Creek – a matchup of #4 and #5 seeds. Cornerstone tallied its first run in the fourth when Gentrup reached by error, advanced on a sacrifice by Carter Henry and raced home on a wild pitch.
Albion then took the lead in the top of the sixth. Cody Nelson led off with a single and stole second base. Matt Schmitz drove in Nelson with a two-out double and scored the go-ahead run on Ty Martinsen’s base hit.
That lead would not last through the completion of the inning. Stone Kraft began the rally in the bottom of the frame with a lead-off triple. After a balk and one-out walk, Hamer was walked intentionally to load the bases. Cody Borgelt followed with an RBI single, Anson Hawthorne drove in two with a double, and Caydon McCracken’s single made it 6-3, ending Gentrup’s day on the mound.
Martinsen recorded the final two outs of the sixth, but Battle Creek pitcher Brandon McLean finished a complete-game victory by retiring Albion batters 1-2-3 in the seventh, including two of his 10 strikeouts.
Creighton 9, Albion 1
Creighton scored multiple runs in the third and fifth innings Sunday to end Albion Cornerstone’s season with a 9-1 decision.
Albion Cornerstone had ample batters reach base, but was unable to capitalize against Creighton pitcher John Novicki, stranding 11 baserunners. Cornerstone tallied its only run in the bottom of the inning. Ethan Dozler walked, advanced on Caden Ranslem’s single, then went home on back-to-back Creighton errors.
Creighton applied more pressure in the fifth against Nelson – Albion’s fourth pitcher of the game. Cornerstone committed four of its seven errors in the frame and Creighton built its advantage to 8-1 with four runs.
Novicki would close out another complete-game performance from there, finishing with seven strikeouts.
Complete Albion Cornerstone details and tournament results in Print & Online editions of Albion News
