Garretson uses 7-run inning to top Madison and advance in the 2022 Class B state amateur baseball tournament
Aug. 8—MITCHELL — Already holding a 4-1 lead headed into the bottom of the eighth inning, Garretson posted seven runs to put away Madison and advance to the quarterfinal round of the Class B state amateur baseball tournament on Sunday night.
In the first inning, Madison walked three batters and Garretson's Robin Chute hit a single to left field to record the first run of the contest. At the bottom of the second inning, Madison walked two more batters and Nick Bonte hit a single that helped Garretson take a 2-0 lead.
After a scoreless third inning and three consecutive ground outs by Madison at the start of the fourth, the Blue Jays were looking to create some separation from the Broncos on the scoreboard. Brady Bonte hit a single to right field and Jesse Brockhouse doubled to right field to put Garretson in scoring position with zero outs. Dustin Steckler loaded the bases after being walked at the plate and Chute hit his second single of the evening, this time to center field, to help the Blue Jays reach a 3-0 lead. Brockhouse was able to score as well before the end of the inning, giving Garretson a 4-0 cushion after four innings.
Four innings later, Aspen Dahl and Josh Giles of Madison were able to connect on base hits to help the Broncos score their first run of the game. Garretson responded at the bottom of the eighth with seven runs of their own, ending the contest with the 10-run rule that takes effect after the seventh inning. In the eighth inning, Madison committed one error and walked three batters while Garretson recorded three singles and a double by Brockhouse.
Brockhouse had two hits, scored two runs and had three RBIs, while Chute went 3-for-4 and both Tayson Swatek and Brady Bonte had two hits apiece. Scott Splett drove in two runs while Aaron Labrie, Trey Buckneberg and Nick Bonte had one hit each. Joey Fitzgerald struck out seven batters in eight innings for the Blue Jays, while only giving up one earned run on four hits.
Madison's Aspen Dahl took the loss at the mound, pitching five innings, surrendering four earned runs on seven hits and striking out three. Mitch McNary struck out three in 2 2/3 innings, but gave up four hits and walked three batters. Dahl, Greg Biagi, Tyler Tappe and Ty Jorgenson had one hit each while Josh Giles had the lone RBI.
Garretson now advances to the next round to play Mount Vernon, scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 11.
