Photo by Samantha Davis. Carson Kopitski throws a pitch against New Ulm Jr. Legion Gold in Friday's Sub-State G District title game. It was his first time on the mound this summer and he pitched for five innings with two strikeouts.

MARSHALL – With a fight back from elimination bracket to the championship game, No. 4 Marshall Junior Legion Black 17U fell short 11-4 to top-seed New Ulm Legion Gold in Friday’s Sub-State G District title game.

Marshall fell in game one of the tournament to Hutchinson, but won the next four to play undefeated Junior Gold. Dirk Haynes and Carson Kopitski both pitched 5 1/3 innings for their teams. Haynes had two strikeouts, eight hits and four runs for New Ulm and Kopitski, with his first pitching appearance this season, had two strikeouts, five hits and seven runs. Elliot Schabert led the bats for Gold with two hits, one run and four RBIs while Kopitski and Shep Jensen both had two hits and an RBI for Black.

Heading into the game, Marshall manager Chase Pollock reiterated to his team how they got to this point.

“Continue to keep good momentum,” Pollock said. “We have been playing really well … I am super proud of us.”

New Ulm got the first run of the game as Schabert hit a grounder to second and safely got to first from a Marshall fielding error. Zach Hubbard was on third and was able to run in on the same play. Bases were loaded as Parker Neubauer singled, bringing in Cohen Domeier and starting the game up 2-0.

Gold then was able to hold Marshall at bat, allowing no runs in and cultivating three quick outs, to return to the plate in the bottom of the second.

With two outs, Schabert doubled to center field as Canden Briggs scored, who was initially on second after being walked and advancing. Black was able to end the inning after three fly ball catches from JR Vierstraete, Jensen and Leyton Wherry.

New Ulm was up 3-0 heading into top of the third.

Marshall got bats swinging as Levi Maeyaert hit a single to get on base and a double to left field from Tyson Louwagie brought him in, and it was 3-1 going to the bottom.

Black in return defended the bases, continuing to show the championship was bound to be a close competition until the end.

“Just keep attacking,” Pollock said. “We really hit the ball well.”

Marshall tied the game in the top of the fourth. Vierstraete and Wherry got on first and second after a hit by pitch and walk. Vierstraete ran home from a single to right field by Kopitski. Wherry also was able to run home from a hard ground ball to right field by Jensen.

New Ulm’s fielding was able to support Haynes on the mound with a catch from Domeier and Neubauer to end the inning.

Hubbard started Gold’s offense with a single and stole second on the next pitch, then third. However he wasn’t able to run in after Louwagie completed a running catch in right field for Marshall to end the inning.

Marshall officially took the lead 4-3 in the top of the fifth with a Wherry double and Eli Weedman scoring from second. New Ulm quickly shut out the inning after that.

Neither team was weakening up on either end, as New Ulm tied the game right back up 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth.

Neubauer hit a line drive double and took third after a sacrifice fly to center. He was able to run home after a sacrifice bunt to first from Ryan Rathmann.

Domeier took to the mound for New Ulm in the top of the sixth with one out to relieve Haynes, and they secured a no-run inning.

Kopitski also was relieved on the mound by Vierstraete for Marshall in the bottom of the sixth with one out and bases loaded.

“Kopitski did a heck of a job for us,” Pollock said. “He hasn’t pitched at all this summer before this, so this is his first time pitching. He came a long way throughout the summer and I couldn’t be more proud.”

New Ulm took the lead 11-4 bringing in seven runs. A single line drive to left field from Schabert to bring home Briggs and Hubbard started the offense. Neubauer walked, loading the bases back up as Gold continued to capitalize on the opportunity. A couple more players ran in off of walks, a fielding error and a hit, as Marshall subbed out Vierstraete with Maeyaert with two outs, who was able to strikeout a batter for the last out.

With Marshall’s last at-bat attempt in the top of the seventh, Weedman singled to left field before Wherry and Tyler Kraft walked. However, a catch in center field was followed by Weedman getting caught stealing second for two outs. A grounder and step on third for the forceout ended the game.

Despite the loss, Marshall was proud of their ability to fight their way back to the title game on their home field.

“We came a long way,” Pollock said. “We maybe learned more things off the field than on the field, with just making sure we are ready to go and our mindset is right.”