Jamestown, North Dakota – The Jamestown Merchants swept the field at the Dale “Gopher” Lien Memorial Baseball Tournament this weekend at Jack Brown Stadium.

The Merchants were carried by their pitching and a little bit of hitting this weekend.

In game one against the LaMoure Merchants, Paul Roers and Scott Stephenson fired a one-hitter. Roers was dominant the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. Stephenson came on for Roers with two guys on and one out, he proceed to strikeout out the next two batters to keep the 2-1 lead for the M’s intact. Stephenson finished the game in the seventh by striking out the side.

“I was really jacked up from all the front squats I did at the gym this morning. I was ready to go and shut the door on LaMoure,” stated the muscular Stephenson in mid push-up position.

The Merchant bats did just enough collecting only six hits with Stephenson and Brandon Baumgartner knocking in the two Merchant runs.

In game two against the Mayville Redcaps it was all Sam Hirchert. Hirchert allowed only two hits and struck out six for the complete game shutout.

“We had great defense behind me today.  Although, I’m not really sure I needed it.  The ball was coming out of my hand like Lunski leaves work for the lake at noon on a Friday, like a rocket,” stated Sam while he crushed some post game Hardeez with his girlfriend after the win.

The M’s scored four runs on seven hits in rout to the 4-0 victory over the Redcaps. Brady Anderson led the way with two hits.

The championship game of the “Gopher” Tournament came down to two bitter rivals as the Merchants squared off against the Jamestown Elks.

This matchup would become an instant classic.

It was a back and forth battle from the get go as the Merchants scored single runs in the first and second to take a 2-0 lead off Elks starter Boya Quichocho.

The Elks scored one run in the third and then regained the lead in the fourth as M’s starter Brandon Baumgartner was touched for two more runs giving the Elks a 3-2 lead after four.

The Merchants entered the bottom of the sixth still down one. A one out walk by Hirchert, followed by a Baumgartner single, set the stage for Brady Anderson.

“I knew it was gone right off the bat, it was a no doubter,” stated Brady as his ball barely scraped over the ivy in right field where the fence is only 300 feet.

Anderson’s three run homer gave the Merchants a 5-3 lead heading into the top of the seventh. Baumgartner allowed one Elk run in the seventh before getting the final out to clinch the “Gopher” Tournament Title.

Preston Jensen, Bryan Erstad and Scott Stephenson all collected multiple hits for the M’s.

“We had a great showing this weekend on the scoreboard. Our execution on shagging foul balls and helping get the field ready was very lackluster. One of these years I just request for a couple of guys to get off their a*ses before and between games to help on the field.  I realize sitting in the Merchant room drinking Beasts, getting food from Hardeez, and showering are very important to you, but please, just please, give me 5 minutes of your time to help on the field!!” stated tournament director and Merchant centerfielder Bryan Erstad.

The Jamestown Merchants would also like to thank Miller Lite and Shady’s bar for sponsoring the tournament.

The Merchants have now won the Dale “Gopher” Lien Memorial Tournament five times. Jamestown (11-6) will look to continue their winning ways this Wednesday against the Kindred Kings. Start time is 7:00 PM at Helling Field in Fargo.