Cardinals Finish Strong to Secure First Cornbelt Win

The Flandreau Cardinals scored ten runs in the final three innings of their Cornbelt season opener as they grabbed the 12-7 win over the Salem Cubs.

Both teams were scoreless for the first three innings before Bret Severeston ended the scoring droughts with a 2 RBI Single in the top of the fourth to put the Cardinals up two runs. Salem answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to gain the 3-2 advantage.

After two more scoreless innings, Flandreau added two more runs in the top of the seventh off of Severston’s 2 Run blast. 

The Cubs again answered, this time regaining the lead with four more runs, with three coming off consecutive RBI Doubles, as they went up 7-4. 

The top of the eighth was where the Cardinals began to take control of the game, as the first six batters in the inning got on base, which allowed Flandreau to score five runs in the inning. The Cardinals added three more runs in the ninth, and with Salem unable to answer, Flandreau went on to win 12-7.

The Cardinals had 16 hits and two errors compared to seven hits and no errors for the Cubs.

Tanner Christenson led the Cardinals  to victory on the pitcher’s mound, surrendering zero runs on two hits over two and a third innings, striking out two and walking one. Kasen Grengs and Sam Gassman entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.

Luke Loudenburg took the loss for Cubs, going two innings, allowing eight runs on nine hits, striking out three and walking one.

Luke Gassman started the game for Cardinals, allowing one hit and zero runs over three innings, striking out four. Isaac Anderson started the game for Cubs, and he surrendered four runs on seven hits over seven innings, striking out seven and walking one

Severston secured the save for Flandreau after striking out the final two Cubs in the ninth inning. He pitched the final two innings, allowing only one hit. He also led the Cardinals in hitting with three hits and five RBI’s.

X Feng also had a strong night hitting for Flandreau, as he had four hits and two RBI’s.

For the Cubs at the plate, Tyler Cleveland, Cole Cheeseman, Brain Duxbury, Tyler Earls,  and Steve Mehlbrech each had a hit and an RBI.

The Salem Cubs will next host Canova on Thursday, May 18th, while Flandreau will head out to Dell Rapids PBR. Both games will begin at 7:30pm, with the Flandreau game being aired on FM 103.1 or at AmazingMadison.com.