Coach Arleigh Jorgenson said his team had its best game ever against International Falls. (L-R, front) Andrew Miller, Garrett Curran, Cameron Roy, Ero Wallin, Dillon Sjogren. (L-R, back) Connor Somnis, Cole Dahlberg, Tristen Bockovich, Colton Furlong, Joe Deschampe Jr., Adam Dorr, Wyatt Baker.
Calling it one of Cook County’s biggest wins ever, Cook County VFW baseball Head Coach Arleigh Jorgenson reported that his team defeated top seeded International Falls 2-1 at the District 8 Sub-District baseball tournament held in Hibbing on Sunday, July 24.
“This was only International Falls’ second loss of the season and they were throwing their top pitcher,” Jorgenson said. “But, so were we. Andrew Miller gave up just three hits and struck out nine.
“The International Falls pitcher matched him statistically, with identical stats. However, Cook County made just one error, which did result in their one run, and otherwise we were flawless in the field.”
Jorgenson said International Falls also made just one error and it cost them one run.
The Vikings scored in the fourth inning and Jorgenson described it this way, “Cole Dahlberg led off by drawing a walk. Andrew Miller reached on an infield error. A double-steal put runners on second and third with no outs. Ero Wallin (playing with us from Silver Bay) hit an RBI to the shortstop, as Cole was able to score.
“International Falls countered with their run in the fourth after a two out error opened the door for a two out RBI single. But, in the sixth, Cole Dahlberg hit a two out double into the right-center gap, and Andrew Miller followed with another double over the right fielder’s head. That was it for the game, and Miller cruised through the bottom of the sixth and seventh.
“This was one of the greatest victory in the history of Cook County Baseball,” Jorgenson said.
The second game didn’t go as well for the team, as Jorgenson explained, “It was hot, and we were the youngest team there from the smallest population base, and fatigue began to play a role. We lost our second game to Virginia 5-l.
“Tristen Bockovich did record five strikeouts in his three and two thirds innings, and Colton Furlong went 3 for 4 at the plate. A five run fourth, however was the back-breaker. Two errors and a walk opened the door for Virginia in that inning.”
The following day was do or die for Cook County, said Jorgenson, as the team squared off against second-seeded Grand Rapids.
“It was not Grand Rapids that defeated us, it was our own mistakes. We were out of gas and it showed up on the mound, in the field, and on offense. We walked nine batters, made eight errors, and gave up 13 hits. We were picked off first three times by their crafty lefty.
“The second inning took the wind out of our sails for good, as they scored nine times with just three hits. The score ended 20-0. Greenway captured the final advancement to Districts along with Hibbing, Grand Rapids and Virginia.”
While the season is ended, Jorgenson said, “We had a very successful summer season, practicing every day Monday through Friday and traveling plenty for games that were almost all very competitive.
“We defeated Ely, Eveleth, Deer River, and Grand Rapids Orange. We lost to Virginia, Hibbing, Grand Rapids Gray, Greenway, and International Falls. To be competitive in the spring, it is essential that we have a robust summer season. This was especially true this year as we lost seven seniors from our high school team.
“Following this summer, we are feeling very confident going into next spring when we will have to prepare once again in the gym as we wait for the snow banks to melt.
“A great big thank you has to go out to our intrepid parents who have been with us in large numbers all summer,” said Jorgenson.
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