Photo by Jake McNeill Marshall VFW Orange center fielder Noah Frazee (front) throws the ball to the infield as left fielder Easton Greenwood looks on during a baseball game against Brandon Valley at Legion Field in Marshall on Monday.

The Marshall VFW Orange 15U baseball team hosted Brandon Valley at American Legion Field Monday night in a doubleheader. After a 13-5 loss in game one, they earned a dominant 17-2 win in the second. 

Marshall returned to the field after having a week off, coming off a loss to Luverne on July 1, which ended their five-game winning streak.

In Monday’s games, both teams shared similar struggles with pitching and field errors, but had several moments of aggressive offense. Marshall had three RBIs in game one, compared to Valley’s 12 to start. The tables turned in game two, and Marshall had 13 RBIs to Brandon Valley’s none. 

With a doubleheader on a clear summer evening in July, it’s crucial to maintain energy and attentiveness throughout the whole night, which Marshall manager A.J. Toulouse told his team prior to first pitch. 

“Great night for baseball. We have had a lot of rain,” Toulouse said. “It’s a chance to play two games against a good baseball team, is what I told them.” 

BV 13, Marshall 5 (5 innings)

Brandon Valley managed the first game, after a back-and-forth start. 

Ethan Weedman took the mound for Marshall to start the night. Brandon Valley got on the board first with a line-drive double to right field for an RBI and advancing a runner to third with one out. A couple pitches later showcased two more singles, and they took a quick 3-0 lead. 

Marshall didn’t take long to get themselves on the board in response, quickly tying the game and taking the lead in the bottom of the first. 

Noah Frazee and Ethan Boeck immediately walked to start their first trip through the order. 

Frazee took an opportunity to advance to third base on an error in center field, where Boeck moved to second on the same play. A wild pitch brought in Frazze, followed by a double from Jackson Sirovy to bring in Boeck and Tyler Kraft. Sirovy also scored on a passed ball, ending the inning on top 4-3. 

The first half of the game was filled with constant lead changes. Brandon Valley took the lead back in the second inning with a fly ball to left field and a single to shortstop, both plays bringing in a runner. 

After a scoreless second inning for Marshall, Cannon Craigmile singled to left field and Sirovy ran in, bringing the score to 6-5 Brandon Valley bottom of the third. 

The Valley took over control in the top of the fifth, and Marshall was unable to bounce back. Weedman was subbed out with Kael Frana, who eventually was relieved by Andrew Lee as well. 

“I think the amount of free passes we gave up was the biggest issue,” Toulouse said. “Too many walks, hit-by-pitches, passed balls, the little things.” 

Between two players hit by pitches and aggressive batting, Brandon Valley capitalized on their offense which ultimately decided the game. Securing six runs alone in the fifth and ending the first game, Marshall fell 13-5. 

Game 2 

Marshall 17, BV 2 (4 innings)

There was a definitive change of energy in the second game for Marshall, securing a 17-2 win and controlling the outcome the entire way through on both sides of the field.  

“I told them, ‘They’re the real deal. We have got to be ready to go next game,'” Toulouse said on what he told the team before game two started. “Be ready to go and get the bat swinging, and that’s what we did.”

The orange crew came out aggressive and maintained that pace. Craigmile started on the mound for game two, immediately striking out a Brandon Valley batter. Craigmile held Brandon Valley to one hit on the day, striking out six batters while walking four. Neither of the two runs he allowed was earned.

Frazee got Marshall’s offense started with a single line drive to left field, then stole second and third shortly after. Kraft grounded out at shortstop to officially bring in his teammate, getting the first run of the game. 

Trae Bailey kept the batting alive with a triple line drive to center, adding two more RBIs. He then stole home on a wild pitch, as did Easton Greenwood a couple batters later. 

Frazee came back to the top of the line with another hit, getting to second and ringing in two more players, forcing a Brandon Valley pitcher change. Marshall entered the second inning up 8-0 after their strong start.   

Marshall turned their good offense into aggressive defense as well, not allowing any Brandon Valley runs to respond in the second, and found themselves quickly back at bat. 

Orange did not let their lead go, continuing to hit the rest of the night, led by Frazee. He contributed another double, bringing in more runners while Marshall took an 11-0 lead heading into the third, and led the team with equally three hits and RBIs. 

Marshall brought in another six runs in the third inning, extending their lead and seeking revenge from game one. 

“I think hitting is contagious,” Toulouse said. “Once we started getting it, guys at the top of the order like Noah Fraze, Ethan Boeck and Tyler Kraft, all those guys did a lot of good things to start us off and it only got better from there.” 

Moving onto 13-7 on the season, Marshall will next have a string of away games before VFW playoffs begin July 24. The road stretch will start tonight with a 5:30 p.m. matchup at Slayton.

“Clean up all the little things,” Toulouse said about his mindset going forward. “I’ve talked about defensive errors, passed balls, free passes … Just keep nose to the grindstone on the hitting.”