Bucs Drop State Tourney Opener To Gaylord, 4-1

MENOMINEE---The Bark River Bucs American Legion Baseball team gave up three unearned runs and lost to Gaylord, 4-1, in the state tournament opener at Spies Field in Menominee. The Bucs had six hits, but could not string them together, flying out eleven times in the ballgame.

"I don't know if it was the home run derby or what," Bucs Manager Matt Richer said after the game. "The kids had fun and hit the ball well last night, but we couldn't get anything going today. So now we're 0-1, and we just can't lose another one this weekend."

Bark River had a big chance in the second inning when Richer's son, Matt, ripped a one-out single, and Cole Ray followed with a shot up the middle.

Gaylord second baseman Joe Moeggenberg made the diving play, flipping it to shortstop Steve Koscieniak for a force.

Sam Hall followed with a double, but Ray had to hold up at third. With two in scoring position, Mason Korhonen struck out to end the threat.

Zach Englund was pitching well, striking out seven batters in the first four innings. But in the third inning, the Bucs defense sprung a leak. Quinn Schultz was at the plate with a runner on third, and he hit one to Richer at second. He bobbled it, and the run scored.

In the bottom of the third, however, Richer made up for the error with his second hit of the game. After a wild pitch, Hall ripped one to right field for an RBI single.

Gaylord regained the lead in the top of the sixth inning, however.

Quinn Schultz led off with a walk, and was bunted to second by Drew Koenig. He advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on a wild pitch.

Andrew Zielinski followed with a single, and then Sam Gorno hit a pop fly that the right fielder overran.

The error brought Koscielniak home, and it was 3-1. Gaylord (14-15) added an insurance run on a two-out hit by Koscielniak with the bases loaded.

Bark River (21-14) had two hits each from Duner Englund, Richer, and Hall. But Gaylord pitcher Drew Long was able to keep the Bucs off the board because he did not walk a batter, and the defense was good behind him all afternoon.

Bark River faces Hudson at 10:00 a.m. ET in Menominee on Friday. The game will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (NewsTalk 600), and at www.rrnsports.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos, videos, from Thursday's game.