The Pirates’ Kane Malo went 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run and five runs batted in to help lead Blue Earth to a 10-5, seven-inning victory over the North Mankato Gators on Sunday, July 20,

The Pirates, who were the visiting team, got on the scoreboard with three runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by Malo’s shot over the left-field fence with Brandyn Olsen, who had reached on a double, scoring ahead of him.

Olsen’s double had plated Parker Meyers with the first run of the game after Meyers had reached first base courtesy of a fielder’s choice.

The Gators scored once in the bottom of the first inning to cut into the Pirates’ lead. The home team then scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game at 3-3.

Blue Earth momentarily regained the lead when they scored one run in the top of the third inning. A bases-loaded walk to Kade Hobbs brought in Logan O’Hara with the Pirates’ fourth run of the game.

O’Hara had reached on a two-out single and moved to second base on a single by Zac Schonrock. The bases became full when Peyton O’Hara was granted first base because of catcher’s interference.

The Pirates’ lead was shortlived because the Gators scored one run in the bottom of the third inning to even the score at 4-4.

Blue Earth took the lead for good in the top of the fourth inning. Meyers reached first base on an error by the Gators’ second baseman. Later, he advanced to second base on a ground out by Hunter Bleess. Malo’s line-drive single to center field brought in Meyers with the Pirates’ fifth run of the game.

A four-run fifth inning extended Blue Earth’s lead to 9-4. Schonrock got things going with a one-out single to left field. Walks to Peyton O’Hara and Kade Hobbs loaded the bases. Talan Priester was hit by a pitch to score Schonrock and advance the other runners one base.

Meyers hit a ground-ball single to center field for a single that drove in O’Hara and a bases-loaded walk to Olsen plated Hobbs to make the score 8-4 in Blue Earth’s favor.

Following a fielder’s choice that resulted in Priester being thrown out at home, Malo walked which brought Meyers home with the Pirates’ ninth run.

Blue Earth’s final run came in the top of the seventh inning. Meyers led off the inning with a single, stole second base, advanced to third on a ground out, and scored on Malo’s line-drive single to center field.

The Gators added one more run in the bottom of the seventh inning to make the final score 10-5.

The Pirates finished the game with 12 hits. In addition to Malo’s three hits, Meyers, Logan O’Hara and Schonrock also had multiple-hit games with each player having two hits.

Besides Malo’s team-leading five runs batted in, Olsen drove in two runs and Priester, Meyers and Hobbs each drove in one.

Hobbs went the distance on the mound for Blue Earth. In seven innings of work, the right-handed hurler gave up five runs (three earned) on seven hits. He walked four batters and struck out four.

Blue Earth’s record is 10-7 overall. They are 9-4 in the 13/60 League and are in second place behind the Waterville Indians.

The Pirates earned the No. 2 seed out of the 13/60 league. Their first playoff game is on Aug.2, at 7 p.m., in Cannon Falls.

Indians 16, Pirates 4

The Blue Earth Pirates returned to action on Saturday, July 19, with a 13/60 League game against the team sitting on top of the standings, the Waterville Indians.

With the victory over the Pirates, the Indians remain undefeated in league play with a 14-0 record.

Waterville, playing at home, took control of their game against Blue Earth very early by scoring seven runs in the first two innings. They added four more runs in both the fourth and fifth inning and one more in the sixth inning of the seven-inning game.

The Pirates scored all four of their runs in the top of the fourth inning.

Kade Hobbs and Zac Schonrock each had two hits for Blue Earth. Hobbs and Logan Jahnke had the Pirates’ only two extra-base hits with each player having a double.

Jahnke started the game on the mound for Blue Earth and took the loss after pitching two innings and being charged with seven earned runs. He gave up eight hits, walked three batters and struck out two.

Schonrock pitched three innings and gave up eight runs (two earned). He allowed six hits while walking one batter and striking out five.

Parker Meyers pitched the sixth inning and gave up one earned run. He did not give up a hit and walked four batters.