Elk Mound Millers Baseball 2-1 for the week

by Don Stuckert

The Elk Mound Millers 16U American Legion Baseball finished up the week with a 2-1 record, winning their lone league game and splitting a pair of non-league matchups.

Eau Claire Black

The Millers started their week hosting Eau Claire Black (ECB) on Tuesday and came away with an 11-8 victory. The Millers put the game away early, scoring seven times in the first and tacking on four more in the third.

In the bottom of the first, the Millers used four walks and a hit batter, surrounded by two hits (including a triple by Kaden Moyer), to break the game open early. The Millers continued the merry-go-round on the bases in the bottom of the third when, after two runners reached base, Aaron Dostal unloaded a booming double to center field to score two. A wild pitch and a base hit by Cayden Brunner added two more runs and the game was all but over.

In the meantime, Brayden Borek was shutting down ECB’s bats, allowing two hits over four innings of work; walking on and striking out seven.

ECB managed to put up six runs in the top of the 5th as the Millers used the big lead to get some pitching experience for those who don’t usually see time on the mound. Gavin Dean came in to get the last out.

Chippewa Falls

The Millers hosted Chippewa Falls on Wednesday and came up on the short end of an 8-6 decision.

Chippewa Falls managed a single run in the second and the game remained 1-0 through three innings. Chippewa broke things open a bit by putting four runs on the board in the top of the fourth, but the Millers countered with three of their own in the bottom of the inning, 

The visitors would add three more in the top of the fifth before the Millers would mount their comeback. Brayden Borek had a run scoring double in the bottom of the fifth and added to more in the sixth playing small ball. The Millers had three base runners in the bottom of the seventh, but failed to score a run. “We had our opportunities”, said coach Don Stuckert, “but we just couldn’t come up with the clutch hit.”

Mason Books started on the mound and gave up five runs over four innings, striking out eight and walking five. Kaden Moyer finished up over the last three innings.

Osseo

The Millers traveled to Merchant’s Park in Osseo on Thursday in a rematch of a June 8th matchup.

Gavin Dean started on the hill and controlled the game from the outset, pitching five shutout innings of one-hit ball. On the other side of the ball, the Millers constantly put pressure on Osseo’s defense, scoring in five of seven innings. Brayden Borek caused havoc on the bases all night, scoring four runs and stealing two bases. Kaden Moyer had two hits and drove in two runs to lead at the plate. Lucas Johnson also had two RBIs.

“This was definitely Gavin’s game”, said Coach Stuckert. “He controlled a good lineup from the start. He’s young and is still learning the art of pitching, but he showed a lot of maturity to his game against a talented lineup.” Lucas Johnson worked the last two innings; allowing two hits, an unearned run and striking out three.

The Millers improved their record to 9-2 on the season with the victory. They return to action with three league games this week.