By Merchants beat writer, Billy Bumbomber

Enderlin, ND – The Jamestown Miller Lite Merchants saw their four game winning streak end Sunday afternoon in the title game of the Josh Berg Memorial Tournament in Enderlin.

The Merchants were defeated by the Jamestown Greyhounds by the score of 6-2, as the Greyhounds took home the title. The Hounds were able to put up four runs in the first two innings against Merchant starter Sam Hirchert. While the M’s were unable to score with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the first inning. The Merchants got two back in the bottom of the second to make it 4-2 but that was as close as they would get.

“I didn’t waste a weekend in Enderlin to take second place, stated an irritated Jared Purdy after Sunday’s game.”

Greg Lunski threw four effective innings out of the bullpen, while Brady Anderson and Bryan Erstad each picked up two hits in the loss.

In the tournament opener on Friday night, Brandon Baumgartner made history by launching his first ever homerun, at any level, into the centerfield bleachers at Hendrickson Field. Baumgartner’s three-run homer broke open a 1-1 game in the bottom of the fourth.

Brady Anderson homered twice while the Merchants beat the Valley City Saints 8-1 to advance to the semifinals.

On the mound, Baumgartner carried a no-hitter into the sixth before giving up a two out double. Valley City hit a solo homer in the seventh to end the shutout. Baumgartner struck out 11 Saints to cap off his historic night.

On Saturday, Dan Ross was lights out against Tolna. Ross pitched around five Merchant errors to only allow one hit and one unearned run in six innings of work.

Andrew Hill was a home run short of the cycle and Bryan Erstad hit his team leading third home run of the season as the Merchants pounded out 11 hits to beat Tolna 10-1.

The M’s will head back to Fargo to take on the Mayville Redcaps this Wednesday at No Name Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:03 PM.