Hall's walk-off homer gives LRSC Game 2 win after first game comeback falls short

Article by Sam Herder, Devils Lake Journal Sports, May 3rd, 2016

The fight was there for the Lake Region State College baseball team in Game 1 Monday versus Mon-Dak Conference foe Williston State College. The finish, though, was what separated the team in Game 2.

After scoring five runs in the sixth inning to tie the doubleheader opener at 7-7, LRSC gave up a run the following inning to lose 8-7. 

In the nightcap, the Royals rallied for four runs in the sixth inning to take a 6-4 lead, only to give up two runs to the Tetons in the seventh to send the game to extra innings.

But Landen Hall, a Devils Lake graduate, must have grown tired of the doubleheader that was stretching past five hours of play.

With one out and a full count, Hall soared his first home run of the season over the left-field fence to give LRSC the walk-off win.

"I was just thinking that I needed to put the ball in play," Hall said. "It felt good off the bat. I didn't think it was going out, so I was running hard around first and I heard everyone start cheering."

It was a much-needed, bounce-back win for LRSC after the disappointing Game 1 loss. The conference tournament begins this weekend.

"It was a great day for us," Royals head coach Kyal Williams said. "We could've came away with two wins today, but it was a really good performance. With having about 4-5 days off, it was nice seeing the boys come ready to play."

Down 7-2 in the sixth inning of the opener, Jon Lund's 2-run double got the rally going with two outs. Edgar Millan drew a bases-loaded walk to score Patrick Becker. Ryne Dolleslager then tied the game with a single that scored Lund and Dakota Hoyt.

The Tetons drew last blood, though. 

Zach Donahoo hit a two-out sacrifice fly to score Dylan Thomas and give WSC the go-ahead run.

LRSC flipped the script in Game 2. 

After two runs in the second inning by both teams, the next three innings went scoreless as Cesar Bernal controlled the mound for the Royals.

WSC got two runs in the sixth, but LRSC answered with four in the bottom half of the inning.

Jeremy Moran did most of the damage, sending a 3-run shot over the left-field fence to give LRSC a 6-4 lead.

Once again, the Tetons spoiled the late-game momentum. They scored two in the seventh to tie it.

Brandon Walsh retired the side quickly in the eighth and LRSC needed one run to win.

Hall took it himself and the celebration was on at home plate.

"That was probably one of the best moments in my baseball career having everyone jumping around you," Hall said.

LRSC ends the regular season with a 12-23 record and hosts the Mon-Dak Conference Tournament this weekend.

The Royals are the No. 4 seed and play No. 5 Dakota College at Bottineau at 10 a.m. Friday.

The winner faces top-seeded WSC later that day in the double-elimination tournament.

"We split this year with them," Hall said on the Tetons. "They're the top team in the conference. It really proves how we can play."

"It's good for us and great for the boys," Williams added on the Game 2 win. "They know it's not a fluke and they can use it, especially in the tournament with nine innings now. They're going to have to drag it out. Full credit to the boys. They didn't quit either games."