Janesville 13Us fall to Bismarck
With 16 runs scored in its first two 13U Babe Ruth World Series games, Janesville’s confidence was high as it entered its third pool-play game against Bismarck (North Dakota) on Sunday.
Over seven scoreless innings, Bismarck pitchers Cade Feeney and Connor Hanson did all they could to erase that feeling.
The local team wound up with more errors (four) than hits (three) in a 7-0 loss that moved its pool-play record to 2-1 with one game left before bracket play begins for qualifying teams.
After scoring a pair of runs off Dawson Draves in the second, Bismarck went back to work in the third. The first four batters of the inning reached base (single, walk, error, single) to double their advantage to 4-0.
Draves struck out the next batter before Mason Leingang got his second hit of the game to drive in another run and chase the Janesville pitcher from the game. Leingang went 3-for-3 with two RBI against Janesville.
Eric Hughes relieved Draves and allowed a lone run in 4 2/3 innings of work.
Trailing 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Janesville was able to load the bases with no outs but couldn’t find a way to break through.
The local team has today off before finishing pool play against the host team from Jamestown, New York at 4 p.m. Wednesday, and Janesville could get good news today even without playing a game. If Bismarck beats Mountain Home (Arkansas) in a game that starts at 11 a.m. today, Janesville will clinch a spot in the bracket portion of the tournament, Janesville coach Tom Davey said.
BISMARCK (N.D.) 7, JANESVILLE 0
Bismarck 024 010 0—7 8 0
Janesville 000 000 0—0 3 4
Janesville battery—Dawson Draves, Eric Hughes (3) and Dalton Madsen
SO—Draves 3. BB—Hughes, Draves 3.