NEW ULM - It took almost a full seven innings for New Ulm Legion Gold's offense to produce a bit hit against Sleepy Eye on Monday, but it turned out to be worth the wait.
Erich Prokosch's bases-loaded single against Sean Mathiowetz in the bottom of the seventh inning delivered a walk-off 2-1 victory for New Ulm, spoiling a dominant start by Sleepy Eye starter Jordan Anderson.
"I was just kind of waiting for my pitch, and he just happened to throw it first pitch, so I took advantage," Prokosch said. "It was a good win for us, we needed it."
Article Photos
Staff photo by Steve Muscatello
Adam Sellner of Sleepy Eye looks up after his slide prevented New Ulm Legion Gold second baseman Dylan Schreckenberg from making a relay throw during Gold’s win Monday at Johnson Park in New Ulm. Looking on is New Ulm left fielder Drew Pfaff.
Facing a 1-0 deficit entering the bottom of the seventh, Gold was down to its final out with only one runner on. However, two consecutive walks by Anderson loaded the bases to give New Ulm hope.
Mathiowetz came on in relief of Anderson and delivered two quick strikes to Kevin Larson, but he followed with four consecutive balls to walk in the tying run. Prokosch followed by lifting a single to shallow right field on the very first pitch of his at bat.
"We were just sitting back and we knew [Anderson] was getting to the end of the game there, so we were just trying to force him to throw strikes, and when he didn't we just capitalized," Prokosch said.
Sleepy Eye's lone run came in the top of the third. Brady Hansen singled to lead off the inning and advanced to third base on a fielding error by Tim Kehren at second base on a ball put in play by Adam Sellner. The error happened when the ball went under Kehren's glove and slammed into his leg, forcing him from the game.
Hansen scored when Mathiowetz hit into a fielder's choice in the next at bat.
Anderson allowed only four hits in his 6 2/3 innings of work, striking out three and issuing six walks.
"My arm felt good today and I kept the pitch count pretty low, I just had my stuff working today and then my teammates made the plays," Anderson said. "It's the first time in a while we had zero errors and it was a good all-around game for us other than the hitting, but that'll come through with us."
Jordan Guggisberg made the start for Gold, allowing one unearned run in five innings of work. He allowed three hits, walked three and struck out four.
Prokosch earned the win, striking out three and walking one in two no-hit innings of relief.
Scott Salfer paced Sleepy Eye's offense by going 1-for-2 with two walks, with Josh Kopacek also contributing a hit.
Jason Shaul was 2-for-3 for New Ulm, with hits also coming from Dan Blackstad (1-for-3, double, run) and Matt Bergmann (1-for-3).
New Ulm Gold will host Fairmont on Thursday.