East Grand Forks continues search for new contributors in shutout loss to Minot
· Yahoo Sports
Jul. 2—EAST GRAND FORKS — Seven players graduated after East Grand Forks' run to the Minnesota Division I state American Legion baseball tournament last year.
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Key players such as Carson McDonald, Brody Anderson, Nick Satterlund and Jake Stassen have returned this season, but EGF is still searching to replace the production it lost.
Players new and old, however, struggled to produce in Thursday afternoon's 7-0 loss to Minot at Stauss Park.
"I think we just needed to compete more, specifically at the plate," EGF head coach Neil Nagle said. "Try to get ourselves into better hitter's counts, and just not roll over so easy up there."
Minot starting pitcher Remington Anderson allowed three hits through 5 1/3 innings and finished with three strikeouts and a walk.
Nick Thomas came on in relief and continued to frustrate East Grand Forks' batters, giving up no hits while issuing two walks.
"Credit to (Remington Anderson)," Nagle said. "He did mix it up well. He was around the zone, working it out. But at the end of the day, I just don't think we were very competitive at the plate."
Sandwiched between a Wednesday doubleheader and an upcoming doubleheader against Fergus Falls next Monday, EGF went into Thursday's game planning to use multiple pitchers.
East Grand Forks wound up using four. Starter Rylee Hams exited after the third inning, when Minot captured its first lead.
With the bases loaded, a wild pitch brought home the first run before Tegan Schindler followed with a two-RBI double for a 3-0 lead.
Minot added three runs in the sixth inning thanks to an RBI double from Brody Mueller and a two-RBI double from Gannon Hedberg.
East Grand Forks never responded offensively. McDonald led EGF with two hits, while Brody Anderson finished with one.
"Coming off a long night playing (Detroit Lakes), I wish we could have come out and competed," Brody Anderson said. "We knew we were going to bullpen it, try to get our guys in. We couldn't get the bats rolling, and that's about it."
Thursday's loss wasn't necessarily a reflection of the season, though. East Grand Forks entered the contest on a four-game winning streak, notching sweeps of Detroit Lakes and Moorhead.
Before that, EGF split doubleheaders against Bemidji and Alexandria.
"We have some familiar faces, some new faces," Nagle said. "Just trying to find that perfect combo. ... We've got some guys that are stepping up and filling some roles for us, but I wouldn't say anything is set in stone right now. We're definitely looking for guys to fill some roles still and just take over those positions."
The roster wasn't the only shakeup of the offseason. Michael Lukkason stepped down as head coach after 11 years with the program.
Nagle took up the reins after nine years as an assistant coach with the program. He's also a former East Grand Forks Legion player, competing from 2011-13.
"I obviously miss having Lukkason around, but it's been fun," Nagle said. "It's fun to experience the side that I never saw — the scheduling, the travel, hotels, little things like finding food for the boys, things I never thought about."
It hasn't been an especially big change for the players, who became acquainted with Nagle during his time as an assistant.
"We all know him," Brody Anderson said. "Great coach. Different coaching style (than Lukkason), obviously, but trying to do the same things."