Another first inning disaster costs Legion

Another first inning disaster cost the Minneota American Legion a game.

Thursday night Madison scored seven runs in the first inning, then held on for an 8-4 victory over Minneota.

"These guys just weren't ready to play," said Acting Manager Jesse Nelson.

Their play showed it when starting pitcher Alex Pohlen failed to survive the first frame. He left with one on and seven runs in.

Relievers Austin DeVlaeminck and Preston Nuy pitched well the rest of the way, allowing just one run. But it was too little, too late as the Vikings couldn't get key hits and stranded seven runners.

"It's a matter of not being ready to play," said Nelson — who handled the team until Manager Keven Larson arrived.

Although Madison had three-hits in the first inning, including a two-run single by Wyatt Halvorson — most of the pain was self-inflicted.

"When you give up two walks, two hit batters and an error, you're going to have innings like this," said Nelson.

Minneota bounced back with three runs in the first. Preston Nuy dumped a nice double into left-center to score wo runs, then he stole a base and came home on a single by Thomas Hennen.

But they'd dent the plate just one more time after a triple by Hennen and a Madison error.

In the process, they had runners on second and in the sixth and seventh but left the runners stranded.

Madison's Peyton Mortenson was 3-4 with two runs batted, Korbin Kells was 3-4 and Cole Bungarden had a pair of hits.

Minneota got 10 hits off winning pitcher Mortenson. Nuy was 2-4 and knocked in a pair of runs and Hennen was 2-4.

Minneota is now 1-3 on the year and they host Canby in a 6 and 8 p.m. doubleheader on Monday.

Madison             700 010 0 — 8 12 2

Minneota            300 001 0 — 4 10  2

WP-Peyton Mortenson. LP-Alex Pohlen.