The Worthington American Legion baseball team started off quickly with six runs in the top of the first inning Monday night and went on to earn a 13-8, five-inning triumph at Minneota.
Post 5 coach Austin Nunez said his players had good at-bats in the first, as multiple players earned walks. Austin Gruis contributed an RBI double in the inning for Worthington. Later in the first, Dawson Svalland connected for a two-run double.
Minneota got a single run in the bottom of the first off Post 5 starting pitcher Cade Grimmius, but Worthington answered with five more in the second as it took advantage of more erratic pitching. Minneota did score five runs in the bottom of the second, but Worthington posted another run on a passed ball in the top of the third for a 12-6 advantage after just two and half innings.
Anthony Quintanilla eventually came on in relief of Grimmius and allowed just one run over the final two innings while striking out five batters. Meanwhile, Post 5 added its final run of the night in the fifth when Logan Kerkaert's RBI double brought home Chase Byrne from second base.
Worthington is now 5-7 on the season and is idle until Tuesday, July 9, when it plays at Luverne. The team is then currently scheduled to have no games after that until the substate tournament the following week.
