Merchants Homer 6 Times in Rout to the Pelican Rapids Tournament Title

 Pelican Rapids, Minnesota – The Jamestown Merchants mowed through the field at this past weekend’s Pelican Rapids Tournament. The Merchants went 3-0 and got their record over .500 for the first time this year and now sit at 6-5.

 The Merchants began the weekend with a 6-4 victory over the Urbank Bombers. The M’s were led by the bat of Jared J-Rod Purdy, who went two for four with a solo homer and a double. Greg Lunski provide the Merchants with a solid start going 6^1/3 innings before giving way to Andrew Thome who got the last two outs to record the save.

 “I’ve been carrying this offense all year, this weekend was no different,” said J-Rod after the win against Urbank.

 J-Rod did not disappoint in the second game of the tourney either. Purdy and four other Merchants went yard against the Pelican Rapids Lakers in a 10-1 victory to move the M’s into the championship game on Sunday.

 Along with Purdy: Bryan Erstad, Andrew Thome, Brady Anderson and Dan Ross all homered and gave starting pitcher Brandon Baumgartner plenty of run support, the lefty cruised to the complete game allowing one run and striking out six.

 The Merchants entered Sunday’s championship game against the Kindred Kings with a question mark on the mound. The Merchants called upon Chase Carpenter to make his Merchant debut, he did not disappoint.  Chase limited the Kings to only two hits and two runs over six innings and provided the M’s with the solid outing they needed.

 The Merchant bats were led by Brady Anderson and Jameson Benson. Benson broke open a scoreless game in the fourth with a bases clearing double. Anderson brought Benson home during the M’s five run fourth. The Merchants tacked on another run in the sixth to win the championship game 6-2.

 “It was a great weekend for me, my defense, my offense and my base running were all phenomenal, the rest of the team should take notes,” stated Purdy while he celebrated with the rest of his teammates after the game.

 The Merchants will look to add to their six game win streak Wednesday against the Mayville Redcaps at Helling Field in Fargo. First pitch 7:00 PM.

 Notes: Merchants outfielder/pitcher Andrew Thome signed as a free agent Tuesday with the Houston Astros. “The Merchants have been a cornerstone in my journey,” Thome stated during his press conference Tuesday morning. During his four games as a Merchant, Thome batted .500 (7-14) and threw 3^2/3 scoreless innings in relief. The Merchants wish him the best.