Fargo, ND – The Jamestown Miller Lite Merchants held off a furious comeback by the Moorhead Miners Wednesday night and came away with a 7-6 victory.

The Merchants were in control most of the game as they jumped out to a four run lead in third inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double by Bryan Erstad.

Starting pitcher Brandon Baumgartner held the Miners scoreless for the first six innings until they scored one off of him in the seventh.

The Merchants responded with two more runs in the eighth to make the score 6-1 heading to the bottom of the inning.

However, the Miners started their comeback off reliever Sam Hirchert by scoring two in the eighth. The M’s added an insurance run in the ninth to make the score 7-3, but the Miners were not done.

The Miners strung four hits, a couple walks and a hit batter to plate three runs and load the bases with two outs in the ninth. Sam buckled down with the winning run on second and got the Miners leadoff hitter to pop out to third to end the game.

With the win the Miller Lite Merchants move to (9-5) on the year and will host the Dale “Gopher “Lein Memorial Baseball Tournament sponsored by Shady’s Bar this weekend at Jack Brown Stadium.

 Saturday - July 9th
10:00 AM – Elks vs. Groton, SD
Noon – Cass County Catfish vs. Merchants
2:00 PM – Groton, SD vs. Merchants

Sunday – July 10th
10:00 AM – Catfish vs. Elks
Noon – Groton, SD vs. Catfish
2:00 PM– Elks vs. Merchants

NOTES: Brandon Baumgartner extended his team leading 11 game hit-streak by going 1 for 3 at the plate Wednesday night. Merchant Brady Anderson who is off playing in the MINK Collegiate Summer League was named to the MINK All-Star team this week. Congratulations Brady! Also Hairball plays at the Red River Valley Fair next Wednesday, so get ready to rock.