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Buffalo eliminates Martins at state tourney

NORWOOD — Buffalo starting pitcher Carter Vogt scattered seven hits over 8 1/3 innings to guide the Bulldogs to a 6-2 second-round Minnesota Class ‘C’ state amateur baseball victory over the Fairmont Martins on Friday night in Norwood.

Fairmont, the Region 13 champion, ends its season with a 23-9 overall record.

Buffalo, a 15-1 opening-round state winner over Crookston last weekend, advances to third-round action at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, in Norwood against the winner of today’s 1:30 p.m. Young America–Lake Henry second-round contest in Hamburg.

The Bulldogs grabbed a quick 3-0 lead on the strength of Colton Haight’s clutch two-run double during the top of the first inning. Jason Senger lined a leadoff single off of Martins starting pitcher Brandan Alfson before the Pipestone draftee plunked Jake Duske with an offering.

Haight, who went 1-for-5 with a game-leading three RBIs, drilled a two-run double to plate both Senger and Duske for a 2-0 edge. Brett Renshaw singled one out later to put runners on the corners before Haight scored when teammate Scott Iano’s grounder was mishandled.

Corey Braun then reached on a second-inning error — one of five Fairmont miscues, advanced 90 feet on Wyatt Brings’ sacrifice bunt and crossed the plate one out later on Duske’s RBI double for a 4-0 margin for Buffalo.

The Martins finally spoiled Vogt’s shutout bid during the bottom of the sixth inning. Dustin Sobolik drew a two-out walk, Taylor Nawrocki singled and Tanner Nawrocki walked to load the bases. Levi Becker then netted an RBI by drawing another walk by Vogt.

The Bulldogs generated solo insurance runs during the top of the seventh and eighth innings. Duske drew a walk from Martins reliever Collin Lovell — a Windom draftee — in the seventh before wheeling to third on an errant pickoff attempt. Haight then collected his third RBI via a groundout.

Brings produced Buffalo’s final tally of the game by singling home pinch runner Isaac Noble during the top of the eighth. Scott Iano singled before Noble reached second base on Braun’s sacrifice bunt. After taking third on a wild pitch, Noble scampered home on Brings’ hit.

Spencer Chirpich and Tyler Tennyson, however, delivered singles to breathe new life into the Martins during the bottom of the ninth inning. Jack Waletich later reached on a fielder’s choice before Spencer Chirpich scored on an error — one of three committed by the Bulldogs on the night.

Tennyson went 2-for-5 to top Fairmont’s seven-hit performance, while Spencer Chirpich, Sobolik, Taylor Nawrocki, Tanner Nawrocki and Becker contributed one hit each.

Alfson took the loss, allowing four runs — two earned — on six hits in five frames pitched. He notched eight strikeouts and did not issue a walk.

Lovell gave up two earned runs on three hits, walked one and struck out one in four innings of relief.

Luke Merz and Brings each produced two of Buffalo’s nine hits, while Haight drove in three runs on the game.

Vogt gave up two runs on seven hits, fanned nine and issued six walks in 8 1/3 innings to net the victory. Andy Johnson, a Buffalo draftee from Maple Plain, issued one walk in 2/3s of an inning to earn the save. Johnson did not allow a run or a hit.

BU 310 000 110 — 6 9 3

FM 000 001 001 — 2 7 5

Carter Vogt (WP), Andy Johnson (9, Sv) and Luke Merz. Brandan Alfson (LP), Collin Lovell (6) and Dustin Sobolik.

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