Madison and Salem pick up District wins

Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2008

Salem and Madison held off elimination last night, as both teams won their respective games at the District 4-B baseball tournament in Flandreau.

It was a back-and-forth first game as Salem took an early 1-0 lead over Colman after a Steve Melbrech home run. Colman responded with a two-run homer by Travis Kaiser homer in the fourth inning and tacked on another run in the fifth to take a 3-1 lead. Salem manager Randy Sabers says he was concerned when the As took the lead.

Salem retook the lead for good in the sixth inning with a six-run outburst. Colman tried a rally in the late innings, but the Cubs held on for a 9-5 win. Melbrech earned Player of the Game honors with a 3-4 night, while Ryan Breitling pitched the win. Kaiser led all hitters with a 4-for-5 night, including two doubles.

Not much offense was present in the nightcap, as Madison and Canton combined for a total of eight hits. But a 2-run first inning by the Broncos was all that was needed as Madison tacked on insurance runs in the fourth and fifth innings for a 4-1 victory over the winless Ace of Spades club.

Justin Jaspers went 2-4 with a pair of stolen bases to earn Player of the Game honors, while Chris Brozik scattered three hits in the complete-game victory. Brozik says the Broncos were looking to prove themselves last night after a heartbreaking 13-inning loss to Flandreau on Monday.

Madison and Salem will play Friday night at 8:00 in Flandreau for the chance to go to the State Amateur Baseball tournament next week in Mitchell.