CRVL PLAYOFF ROUNDUP: Carver steals Game 1, Waconia and Mayer take care of business

WINSTED – The Carver Black Sox have an entirely new look to them this season. It would be hard to tell as they continue to get it done when it matters most.

Despite trailing the St. Boni Saints 3-1 after an inning of play in Game 1 of the season, Carver scored five unanswered runs the rest of the way to steal Game one 6-3 and take a 1-0 lead in the series Tuesday night.

Carver struck first in the opening inning on a two-out RBI single from Jake Margo but the lead would last long. After Anthony Esposito led off the bottom of the first with a single and then proceeded to steal second and third base, Michael Barnes tied the game at one with a sacrifice fly and an RBI for the Saints. St. Boni didn’t stop there. Hawken Hedlund kept things rolling and then it was Seth Tierney giving his team the lead with a two-run home run to put the Saints up 3-1 after an inning of play.

The offense was held quiet the rest of the way as Carver’s Bailey Melz worked himself into a groove. After surrendering three runs in the opening innings, Melz responded with eight shutout innings the rest of the way to keep his team in the game. Melz finished the game in dominant fashion retiring the final 13 batters he faced as Carver took a 1-0 lead in the series with the win.

It was an impressive win for the Black Sox who came through with big defensive plays and took advantage of four errors by the Saints as they overcame leaving 13 runners on base.

Game 2 is set for Thursday in Cologne at 7:30 p.m.

Waconia 6, Norwood 0

WACONIA – There was no letdown for the Waconia Lakers coming off a tough loss in their final game of the regular season. The Lakers turned to veteran Ryan Naughton on the mound and he delivered in a big way propelling Waconia to a 6-0 win over the Norwood Indians and a 1-0 lead in the series Tuesday night.

Waconia scored runs in each of the first three innings to grab control of the game early on. Max Kalenbreg had a solo home run and both Derek Martin and Owen Amrhein each had two RBI apiece to lead the offense.

Naughton finished the game with a complete-game shutout allowing just one hit in his nine innings of work. He struck out six and walked none as he needed just 69 pitches to get the win.

Jack Bursey had the lone hit of the game for Norwood in the loss.

Game 2 is set for Thursday in Norwood at 7:30 p.m.

Mayer 7, New Germany 0

PLATO – One tough stretch in the regular season turned the Mayer Blazers from a contender for the CRVL North title and forced them to earn their way into the Region 7C Tournament through the playoffs. Mayer got their playoff series with New Germany off to a nice start as they were in control throughout in a 7-0 win over the Dutchmen to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Blake Tritch and Seth Luther combined to keep the Dutchmen in check all game long, holding them to just four hits. Tritch got the win with seven shutout innings while Luther finished things off with two scoreless innings of his own.

Mayer grabbed the lead early on and never looked back as they were in control throughout.

Game 2 is set for Thursday in Plato at 7:30 p.m.

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