Branum stifles Park Rapids in win

Ethan Branum needed just 55 pitches and an hour and 15 minutes to hand the Brainerd American Legion a game-one victory over Park Rapids Tuesday at Don Adamson Field in Brainerd.

• Photos

The lefty tossed a complete-game five-hitter for the 4-1 victory, which improved Brainerd's subdistrict record to 5-1 with two games left until the playoffs.

"My curveball was working pretty good and I've been developing a changeup and that's been working for me so I can throw the off-speed stuff and my fastball was going over for strikes," said Branum.

In game two, Brainerd cranked out 18 hits, including five doubles in a 16-6 five-inning win, improving its overall record to 10-4.

Game one

Branum struck out three and walked just one and benefited from Brett Kramer's 3-for-3 performance.

Brainerd Legion player Nick Jelacie kept a close eye on the ball in Tuesday's game against Park Rapids. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist » Purchase reprints of this photo.

Kramer scored two runs, drove in two runs and stole a base.

Nick Jelacie drove in Kramer in the bottom of the first inning for a 1-0 lead. After Park Rapids tied it in the third, Bo Jedinak hit a single and later scored on Kramer's second double. Austin Schmolke then drove in Kramer for a 3-1 advantage.

"After they scored their run I just told myself that we're going to have to score more runs," said Branum. "That was it. I had confidence in the guys."

Josh Haberman scored in the fifth inning on Kramer's single.

Branum didn't allow a runner past first base in the last three innings for the victory. His second against Park Rapids this summer.

"Getting that first win was important for Subdistrict," said Branum. "We almost clinched. We have two more games after this so it was a good win."

Game two

After falling behind 4-0, Brainerd crushed starting pitcher Brandon Gartner for a six-run third inning. Brainerd produced four doubles and six-straight RBI hits.

Brainerd 4, Park Rapids 1

Brainerd 16, Park Rapids 6

Key: Ethan Branum threw a five-hit game one victory and Brainerd produced 18 hits for the game two win.

Subdistrict: Brd 5-1

Overall: Brd 10-4

Next: Brainerd hosts Little Falls 5 p.m. Friday.

Nick Anderson, who finished 4-4 with three runs, two doubles and two RBIs, started the run-producing damage with an RBI double that hit the top of the left field fence. Chris Smolke, Nate Smolke, Branum, Steve Berndgen and Jedinak all followed with RBIs.

"I've been struggling pretty bad lately," said Anderson. "I just tried something new and it started working for me I guess. I was standing straight up so I started bending my knees a little bit and it worked."

In the next inning, Brainerd erupted for seven runs on five hits. It closed the deal in the fifth, scoring three runs on three hits and a walk.

Jedinak finished 3-5 with three RBIs and a run.

Austin Schmolke was 2-2 with two runs. Rhett Williamson replaced him in the fourth and hit a two-run single.

Chris Smolke broke out of a slump to finish 2-3 with three runs and an RBI.

Nate Smolke was 3-3 with two runs and three RBIs and Branum was 2-3 with three runs and two RBIs.

Berndgen finished with three runs batted in.

"We all got in a groove," said Anderson. "It helps in the field, too. You get the momentum and the confidence from hitting and that helps a lot."

Game one

Park Rapids 001 000 0 - 1 6 1

Brainerd 102 010 x - 4 7 0

WP - Ethan Branum. LP - Ely Donatelle. 2B: PR-Brandon Gartner; Brd-Brett Kramer 2, Austin Schmolke, Josh Haberman 1, Jelacie. SB: Brd-Kramer. RBI: PR-Gartner; Brd-Kramer 2, Schmolke, Nick Jelacie.

Game two

Park Rapids 013 03 - 6 9 0

Brainerd 006 73 - 16 18 2

WP - Haberman. LP - Gartner. 2B: PR-Chris Bruhn, Gartner; Brd-Nick Anderson 2, Chris Smolke, Steve Berndgen, Branum. HR: PR-Donatelle. Sac: PR-Donatelle, Brd-Berndgen. RBI: PR-Bruhn 2, Donatelle 2, Brd-Nate Smolke 3, Berndgen 3, Bo Jednick 3, Rhett Williamson 2, Anderson 2, Branum 2, Chris Smolke. Sub-district: Brd 5-1. Overall - Brd 10-3. Next game - Brainerd hosts Little Falls at Adamson Field 5 p.m. Friday.

JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.