In front of a crowd of over two thousand people, two of the nation's top programs over the last few years squared off in hopes of heading to the winner's bracket. Eden Prairie, Minnesota, the Central Plains power, capitalized on seven Roseburg errors to win 13-6.
Roseburg jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first before Eden Prairie rattled off 9 straight runs from the third through the fifth. The Oregon state champs answered with four in the bottom of the sixth, but Eden Prairie got two apiece in the seventh and eight. Roseburg mustered one more run in the bottom of the eighth, but was unable to fight their way back into the game.
Adam Bray, who posted the most amount of innings last week, started for the Minnesota champs and gave them four solid innings of work. He did walk seven while striking out five, but scattered three hits and surrendered just one run. Reliever Tyler Ruemmele got the win, pitching three innings and giving up four runs (3 earned). Lance Thovold came on to shut the door as he pitched the final two innings, giving up a run.
Roseburg starter Josh Graham, who wasn't one of the team's top pitchers last week, got touched for twelve hits and nine runs (just four earned) in four innings. Relievers Jay Tovey, Jared Priestley, and Austin Marsh pitched relatively well, giving up four runs in a combined four innings.
Eden Prairie second baseman Tony Skjefte swung the big bat, going three for six with five rbis. In the loss, Roseburg right fielder Mitch Huff had three rbis.
Roseburg drops into the loser's bracket where they will face Chesapeake, Virginia at about 4pm eastern. Eden Prairie will play in the night cap against a very solid Midwest City, Oklahoma team at 10pm eastern.
Stay tuned throughout the day for updates!
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