Patriots Hold Season Opener

The Sidney Patriots baseball team opened their season Saturday, June 1 with 1-1 conference record. 

They lost their first game versus the Laurel Dodgers, 11-2. 

In the third inning Cooper McNally hit a double and brought in one run. In the top of the fourth the Dodgers scored three runs. Ryder Hansen pitched 4 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits, striking out three and walking none.

McNally went two for three at the plate as the cleanup hitter and led the team with one run batted in. 

The second game was the first conference victory of the season for the Patriots. They beat the Laurel Dodgers in the second matchup of the day with a score 8-7. 

Rider Hanson collected three hits in four at bats. He singled in the first, second, and fifth innings. 

At the end of the first inning, the Patriots trailed 4-0. They tied the game in the bottom of the second when Ty Schepens singled, scoring one run, and a wild pitch followed, extending the lead 6-4. 

Gradin Sukut was the starting pitcher. He allowed eight hits and six runs (4 earned) over five innings, striking out three and walking one. Trace Bain was the relief pitcher.

The Patriots had 10 hits. Braden Harris and Gradin Sukut had multiple hits. The Patriots also accumulated six walks. Johnson and Schepens had two walks each. Sukut stole two bases and there was one double play the game.

The Patriots play in Watford on Wednesday June 5 at 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, June 6 at 9 a.m. as they begin a tournament in Watford City