The Arlington Senior Legion baseball team cycled numerous players onto the mound and into the batter's box Monday during the season-opener at the Washington County Fairgrounds.
“We pretty much got done what we wanted to,” coach Ed Menking said. “Plus the win.”
The Post 71 Eagles earned an 8-5, come-from-behind victory against a first-year Oakland ballclub to start 1-0 — matching the Juniors, who won 5-3. Pitchers Nick Smith, Barrett Nielsen, Jack Bang and Trevor Denker all tallied outs, though Menking said he'd liked to have used even more arms.
At the plate, meanwhile, Arlington notched a 3-0 lead during the first inning. Denker notched an RBI single first before Logan Kaup plated two more Eagles with a single to right field.
From there, though, Oakland scored five straight runs. It lead 5-3 through 5.5 innings.
“We couldn't get a guy in with the bases loaded until the last inning, and then we finally had some decent at-bats,” Menking said. “Took what they gave us.”
Post 71 tied the game during the five-run bottom of the sixth frame when Killian McIntosh drew a bases-loaded walk. Nielsen, who ran track in the spring and will continue to at Dakota Wesleyan next school year, then gave the Eagles a 6-5 lead when he hit into a throwing error.
A returning 2021 Arlington High School grad, Zach Vanek, finished off the scoring with a two-run bloop to the shallow outfield.
From there, the Eagles protected their 8-5 lead with three outs during the top of the seventh inning. Denker, who was pitching, dove and caught a short pop first before Vanek chased down a foul fly in left field.
Shortstop Kaden Pittman later ended the opener, fielding a grounder and tossing the ball to second base for a force out.
“Defensively, I think we were fine,” Menking said. “I can only remember two plays that we probably should have made (and didn't).”
Overall, the Eagles were able to get multiple pitchers looks and their new track team additions plate appearances. It was a success in the coach's eyes, though there's always room for improvement.
“I think we'll get better,” Menking said. “Hopefully.”
