Pirates pitcher Kade Hobbs is shown in action during a game in Blue Earth earlier this season. Hobbs pitched in relief during Blue Earth’s win over Morristown.

The Blue Earth Pirates won their second consecutive one-run game when they defeated the visiting Morristown Morries 7-6 in a game played at Veterans Field on Sunday, July 13.

Morristown scored one run in the top of the first inning off Blue Earth starting pitcher Brandyn Olsen, but the Pirates evened the score in the bottom of the second inning when Logan O’Hara scored on a double by Tanner Nawrocki. O’Hara had reached first base on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a ground out by Zac Schonrock before being driven home by Nawrocki.

The Pirates took a 3-1 lead when they scored twice in the bottom of the third inning.

Parker Meyers reached first base on an infield error and ended up at third base after an error occurred during his steal of second base.

Olsen had an infield single to the third baseman with Meyers having to hold up at third base. A single by Kane Malo plated Meyers with Blue Earth’s second run of the game. Olsen, who had previously stolen second base, also scored on Malo’s hit.

A home run by the Morries in the top of the fourth inning reduced the Pirates lead to 3-2. However, the home team increased their advantage to three runs when they scored twice in the bottom of the fourth.

Schonrock led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a single to center field and moved to second base on a bunt single to the third-base side of the infield by Nawrocki. Cody Sukalski was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

A sacrifice fly by Talan Priester brought in Schonrock and allowed Nawrocki and Sukalski to each advance a base. A walk to Meyers loaded the bases again.

The Morristown shortstop misplayed a ball hit by Olsen for an error that allowed Nawrocki to score and extend Blue Earth’s lead to 5-2.

After a scoreless fifth inning, Morristown once again narrowed Blue Earth’s lead to one run when they scored twice to make it a 5-4 ballgame in the Pirates’ favor.

Blue Earth responded with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to go on top 7-4.

Meyers was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. The Pirates’ fleet-footed shortstop raced home on a double by Olsen. Hunter Bleess reached first base on an infield hit to the shortstop with Olsen having to hold up at second base.

O’Hara hit into a fielder’s choice with Olsen forced out at third base and Bleess advancing to second. A single to center field by Schonrock brought Bleess home with the Pirates’ seventh run of the game.

Morristown made it close when they scored two more runs in the top of the seventh inning to pull within one run of Blue Earth at 7-6. But the Pirates were able to hold the Morries scoreless in the last two innings to preserve their one-run victory.

Olsen got credit for the victory after pitching six complete innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits. He walked three batters and struck out nine.

Kade Hobbs pitched the seventh inning and gave up two earned runs on three hits.

Cody Sukalski earned a save by holding Morristown scoreless for the eighth and ninth innings. Sukalski surrendered one hit, walked one batter and struck out two.

The Pirates, who outhit the Morries by a 12-9 margin, were led at the plate by Malo who was 3-for-5 with two runs batted in. Olsen finished 2-for-4 and also drove in two runs. Schonrock was 2-for-3 and Nawrocki was 2-for-4. They each had one run batted in.

Blue Earth was scheduled to play at Waterville on July 19, at North Mankato on July 20 and return home to host Fairmont on July 23.

Pirates 6, Spiders 5

The Blue Earth Pirates went on the road to battle the Cleveland Spiders on July 9 and returned home with a 6-5 victory.

Logan Jahnke picked up the win for the Pirates after pitching the final four innings in relief of starting pitcher, Taylor Davids.

Blue Earth scored the first run of the game in the top of the second inning when Zac Schonrock tripled and scored on a wild pitch.

Cleveland tied the game up when they scored one run in the bottom of the second inning.

The Pirates regained the lead in the top of the third inning. Kaylan Legred hit a lead-off single and stole second and third base. He scored on an error on a ball hit to the third baseman by Parker Meyers with Meyers ending up on second base. A double by Hunter Bleess brought Meyers home with Blue Earth’s third run of the game.

The Spiders scored twice in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game at 3-3.

Blue Earth tallied one run in the top of the sixth inning when Bleess walked and scored on a triple by Schonrock.

Two more runs by the Pirates in the top of the seventh inning increased their advantage over the Spiders to 6-3.

With one out in the seventh inning, Meyers reached first base on a dropped third strike and came around to score on a triple by Brandyn Olsen. A single by Bleess brought Olsen home with Blue Earth’s sixth run of the game.

Cleveland scored twice in the bottom of the seventh inning to make the score 6-5 in Blue Earth’s favor before Jahnke held the Spiders scoreless for the last two innings to secure the triumph for the Pirates.

Taylor Davids started on the mound for the Pirates and pitched five innings. He gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits while walking five batters and striking out four.

Jahnke gave up two earned runs in four innings. He allowed two hits, walked three batters and struck out four.

The Pirates outhit the Spiders by a 9-7 margin. Bleess and Schonrock were each 2-for-4 with Bleess also driving in two runs.

Blue Earth had five extra-base hits during the game. Bleess and Meyers each had a double, Olsen had a triple and Schonrock finished with two triples.