Game 1
Anoka-Ramsey 9 - Itasca 8
Traphagen's Walk-Off Picture Perfect Ending In Anoka-Ramsey's Victory Over Itasca
Anoka-Ramsey Community College took their season opener in dramatic walk-off fashion, thanks to a walk-off walk at the end of the game to topple Itasca Community College.
With Itasca leading the entire game, the Golden Rams entered the bottom of the 7th, trailing by a score of 8-4. Tyler Traphagen led off the bottom half of the inning with a triple to right field. Brandon Watkins followed that with a single, driving in the run, to make it an 8-5 game. Then, with two outs and the bases loaded, outfielder Trevor Adams steps to the plate, delivering a double off of the right field wall, scoring all three base runners, making it an 8-8 ball game.
Following that, the Itasca pitching staff issued two more walks, thus loading the bases. Next up, Traphagen worked a full count in a gritty at-bat, ultimately earning a walk, which scored the walk-off victory for the Golden Rams.
Derek Heldman was credited with the victory for Anoka-Ramsey. The pitcher surrendered two runs on three hits over one inning, walking zero. Kyler Stuart threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen.
Dan Foley started the game for the Golden Rams. The southpaw allowed one hit and three runs over three innings, striking out three.
Mason MacLeod started the game for Itasca Community College. The hurler went two innings, allowing zero runs on one hit, striking out four and walking zero
Anoka-Ramsey tallied six hits on the day. Traphagen and Brandon Watkins each racked up multiple hits for the Golden Rams.
Game 2
Anoka-Ramsey 13 - Itasca 2
KAPOW! Anoka-Ramsey explodes for 13 runs, while cruising to an easy victory over Itasca
Buzzing from the walk-off win in game one vs Itasca, Anoka-Ramsey jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after the first inning. The Golden Rams never looked back, ultimately winning the game in convincing fashion by a score of 13-2 in 5 innings.
Anoka-Ramsey got on the board in the first inning when Brandon Watkins doubled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run.
The Golden Rams also put up four runs in the third inning. The offensive onslaught was led by Benji Bruce, Jake Kouri, Kyler Stuart, and Wil Goodin all driving in runs in the inning.
Brayden Buttweiler was credited with the victory for Anoka-Ramsey. The lefty surrendered two runs on three hits over four and two-thirds innings, striking out seven and walking one. Drake Bakkum threw one-third of an inning in relief out of the bullpen.
Dawson Stevens took the loss for Itasca Community College. The hurler went two and a third innings, allowing eight runs on four hits and striking out two.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College tallied one home run on the day by Brydon Hegarty. His three-run blow came in the bottom of the fifth to end the game.
The Golden Rams saw the ball well today, racking up ten hits in the game. Watkins and Valentino Faulkner both managed multiple hits. Watkins went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Anoka-Ramsey in hits.
