Vultures salvage win in seventh

In a wild and wooly season opener, the Minneota Jr. American Legion Vultures outlasted Cottonwood on Tuesday, 15-14.

“We hit the ball VERY well,” said Coach J.D. Pesch.

The Vultures had a six-run second inning and scored three more in the fifth and two each in the sixth and seventh innings.

A double by Trey Gronke sparked the two-run rally in the seventh that was the difference in the game. Braeden Panka doubled Gronke home for the game winner.

“They had five varsity starters in their lineup,” Coach Pesch said about Cottonwood.

“They started their varsity pitcher against us,” he added.

The Vultures got two hits from Tate Walerius and two from Gronke.

Panka also had two hits and scored two runs. But there was an Achilles heel.

“We need a lot of work on defense,” said the coach, addressing the seven errors that helped keep Cottonwood in the game.

Grady Moorse pitched four innings, and gave up 12 runs, but only three were earned.

Tate Walerius relieved and gave up just one earned run.

Score by Innings Cottonwood 331 501 1 — 14 9 3 Vultures 160 132 2 — 15 8 7 WP-Tate Walerius.

Minneota Hitting: Tate Walerius 2-5; Trey Gronke 2-4 (double, RBI); Braeden Panka 2-3 (2 runs, double, RBI, BB).