North Saint Paul- Under the lights at Kuenkel Field, the Raiders beat North Saint Paul in their first game in more than a week, kicking off a stretch of 9 games in 10 days with a decisive 14-5 win over North.
After a scoreless 1-2-3 top of the first inning, Mark DeNoyer would force a 1-2-3 inning from the Polars, and we were scoreless after one. Hastings would get the game’s first runs in the top of the second, with two runs to take a 2-0 lead. The Polar batters would be held in check and Hastings would open up a 9-0 lead over the next couple of innings. The Raiders looked comfortably in front, but in the 4th and 5th innings, North Saint Paul would inch a little closer, getting two back in the 4th, and three back in the 5th to cut it to 9-5 as they found their bats. But that wouldn’t deter the Raiders, as Hastings would step on the gas in the 6th inning, scoring the game’s final five runs over the next two innings to open it up to a 14-5 lead. Aaron Vandehoef pitched the sixth and Matt Sherry finished it off in the 7th.
It was the first game in a week for the Raiders, and Coach Ryan Stoffel told KDWA that the Raiders were getting ready to get into a “meat grinder” of a schedule with their frequent action.
In terms of Raider statistics, it was a great night for Mitch Iliff, who had three hits, including two doubles. Evan Nelson also went 3 for 5, bringing in 3 batters. Blake Vandehoef registered two hits including a huge 2-RBI Triple early in the contest. Alex Hendrickson, Connor Zgoda and Johnny Teigland also had hits for a team total of 11. The Raiders also had 11 RBIs, with Jack Seleski, Vandehoef, two from Cade Kimmes, the 3 from Nelson, as well as two from Iliff and one from Hendrickson. Eddie Peine stole two bases in the contest.
Mark DeNoyer got the win, going 4 2/3 innings and ending his day with enough rest time to be able to pitch later in the week. He was great, allowing only 3 hits, 3 runs and 2 earned with a walk and 5 strikeouts. Aaron Vandehoef went 1 1/3 innings and Matt Sherry would pitch the 7th for the Raiders.
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Coach Ryan Stoffel gave his thoughts on the game
