Saxons get nailbiter win in Series Opener

South Salem nips North Dakota 2-1 in the Cal Ripken World Series

It came down to the final two outs of the game, but South Salem’s Jimmy Ordaz, Jr. settled things in the bottom of the sixth inning with a one-out single to drive in Kellen Bowman, giving the Saxons a 2-1 victory over West Fargo, North Dakota in the opening pool game of the Cal Ripken World Series in Branson, Missouri.

The game was a pitchers duel between the two squads.  South Salem’s 12U team managed just seven hits in the game, while Saxon pitchers Kellen Bowman, Sam Mosar, and Wyatt Timmerman combined to limit North Dakota to just three hits for the game. 

“Great job by the pitchers,” said South manager Mike Sidwell, “and some timely hitting, especially by Jimmy Ordaz, Jr. with the walkoff.”

Both teams played stiff defense, and stopped potential scoring opportunities during the course of the game.

The game was scoreless through two innings.  West Fargo—the Midwest Plains representative—got on the board first in the top of the third inning.

Blake Fagerland did the damage for North Dakota.  He walked, advanced to second on an error, moved to third on a single by Chase Clemenson, and then scored on a wild pitch by Bowman.

South ended the threat when Bowman forced a ground out by Dakota’s Grayden Peterson.

The Saxons responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning.

Okton River began the frame with a single.  He stole second, but was then picked off after getting caught in a rundown between second and third.

Cody Scharer then singled, and stole second.

Dakota pitcher Grayden Peterson issued a walk to Kellen Bowman.

With Wyatt Timmerman at the plate, Scharer then stole third.  The throw to third by Peterson was wide.  Bowman was tagged out after stealing second on the same play and rounding towards third, while Scharer scampered in on the miscue to tie the game.

It looked as if the Saxons would add to their two-out rally.  Sam Mosar singled to move Timmerman to second, but Isaac Erwin struck out looking to leave the game tied at one.

That led to Ordaz’s dramatics in the last inning.

After Wyatt Timmerman held North Dakota scoreless in the top of the frame, South Salem’s Kellen Bowman drew a walk from relief pitcher Calan Kliniske to begin the bottom of the sixth. Bowman was advanced to second on a single by Wyatt Timmerman, who was later replaced by pinch runner Jaxon Birt.  After Sam Mosar struck out, Birt and Bowman advanced to second and third respectively on a wild pitch by Kliniske to Issac Erwin.  Erwin was then walked to load the bases.

That brought Jimmy Ordaz, Jr. to the plate.  (note: video link below) After taking a strike, Ordaz lined the ball to left field, bringing in Bowman with the winning run.

The victory gives South Salem a 1-0 record in pool C of the World Series tournament.  The Saxons have Saturday off.  They return to play Sunday morning at 7:00 am PT against Jeffersontown, Kentucky—which won their pool opener nipping Greenwich, Connecticut 4-3 in their opener Friday. Kentucky plays Saturday against North Dakota before facing South Salem Sunday.

South Salem has games Monday and Tuesday, both at 12 noon PT.  Seeding for the World Series Tournament will be based on standings in pool play.

Tournament note: the other Oregon team in the World Series, West Linn, won their opener Friday over Janesville, Wisconsin by a final score of 2-0.

VIDEO OF ORDAZ’S GAME-WINNING HIT-CLICK HERE.