Blackduck falls to Fosston in season opener

BEMIDJI -- It has not been a kind spring to the area high school baseball teams as cold and wet weather has kept the squads off the field for much of the season.

There was a definite chill in the air again on Monday but the Blackduck and Fosston teams couldn't wait any longer to begin their campaigns. The teams met at the BSU diamond and both showed signs of rust.

In the end, Fosston was able to post a 5-3 victory, taking advantage of a 3-run first inning that was fueled by four walks and a hit batter.

Blackduck was retired in order in the top of the first but Drakes' starting hurler Evan Weisert struggled with the strike zone early and the Greyhounds jumped on the free bases.

Weisert walked the opening hitter and, after a sacrifice bunt, Weisert issued three more walks to force in a run. A hit batter added the second run of the frame and a fielder's choice grounder increased Fosston's lead to 3-0.

Blackduck found the scoreboard in the upper third as a walk and two Fosston errors set the table for a single run. The Greyhounds answered in their half of the stanza, however, when Kory Jacobson doubled and later scored courtesy of an infield error.

Fosston upped its cushion to 5-1 on a double, passed ball and squeeze bunt in the fourth but the Drakes closed their gap with two in the fifth.

With one out Matt Patch walked and Weisert reached on an error. Jake Peterson's bloop single to right filled the bases and Patch trotted home when Colton Bales was hit by a pitch.

Jake Krabbenhoft plated Weisert with a ground ball but the inning ended with a strikeout.

Blackduck threatened in the sixth, putting two runners on with one out, but Fosston worked out of the jam courtesy of a pair of infield outs.

The Drakes also had two men on with one out in the top of the seventh but a double-play ended that potential rally and the game.

Blackduck managed four hits, two of them by Peterson.

Fosston only mustered two hits, doubles by Trevor Schmidt and Jacobson. The Greyhounds also profited from six walks and the hit batter.

Blackduck 001 020 0 - 3 4 2

Fosston 301 100 x - 5 2 3

Weisert (L), Nissen (4) and Bales. K-10, BB-6

Papke (W), Sather (6, S) and Jacobson. K-10, BB-3