Blues get best of West Fargo

West Fargo and new coach Justin Fletschock hoped for a good homecoming performance Tuesday night.

But nine unforced errors and timely Moorhead Blues hitting shut West Fargo out of its home- and season-opening games, 11-9 and 9-3.

Moorhead advanced its record to 6-0 on the season after defeating Minnesota teams Thief River Falls and Roseau in its first two doubleheaders.

It was quite a victory for Moorhead, considering it was behind 6-2 in the seventh inning in the first game.

But then again, West Fargo's nerves caught up with them.

West Fargo's Chris Hanes, who had only allowed two runs and five hits prior to the seventh, walked two of the first three batters he faced in the inning. Another Moorhead batter reached on a West Fargo error.

Before the inning was over, nine Moorhead runs scored on five hits and two West Fargo errors. Fourteen batters stepped to the plate for the Blues.

"We had to get the runs on and we did," said Paul Cragg, who is in his second year coaching the Blues. "These guys don't quit. As long as they don't quit, we can take advantage of teams' mistakes."

Moorhead did -- in large abundance.

The story was the same in the second game. Tied 2-2, Moorhead scored seven runs in the sixth inning, thanks to four West Fargo errors and four Blues hits.

"We had a lot of guys out of position," said Fletschock, who is a former Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks pitcher. "We are a little inexperienced."

Ryan Williams led the Blues in the second game with 12 strikeouts in six innings pitched. The Blues ended up with 14 strikeouts in the game. It was Williams' first start of the season.

The majority of Williams' strikeouts were swinging, thanks to a newfound curve, which Williams mixed in with his fastball.

"Speed is my main weapon," Williams said. "It helps to throw off speed and get them with the fastball."

Offensively, Moorhead contributed 18 hits in both games. Jason Pieterick went 3-for-4 in the first game with two RBI and a run scored. In the nightcap, Nick McLister knocked in a run and scored another on his 2-for-4 performance.

"Our runs came in bunches," Cragg said. "We are brand-new to this season. I don't know if it's a trend. I hope we don't save it all for one inning (every game)."

West Fargo's Hanes hit a solo home run in the fourth inning of the second game. He later added a triple. Matt Kratcha went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the first contest.

Up until the later innings of both games, West Fargo's pitching was dominant.

At one point in the first contest, Hanes allowed only two hits in four innings, the best stretch from a pitcher by both teams.

"Hanes pitched very well," said Fletschock, who still holds the RedHawks record for wins with 44. "His (mistakes) were mental more than anything."

The Blues head to East Grand Forks for a single game at 6:30 p.m. tonight. West Fargo, which had its opening games against Devils Lake cancelled due to rain Monday, will play a doubleheader at Detroit Lakes, Minn., on Thursday.

Moorhead 200 000 9-- 11 10 2

West Fargo 400 002 3-- 9 7 3

Moorhead: Bowar, Dahl (7) and Nelson. West Fargo: Hanes, Markel (7) and Gunderson. W--Bowar. L--Hanes.

Moorhead 020 007 0-- 9 8 1

West Fargo 001 100 0-- 3 3 6

Moorhead: Williams, Dahl (7) and Fjeld. West Fargo: Cavett and Gunderson, Holland. W--Williams. L--Cavett. HR--Hanes.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Michael Klinski at (701) 235-7311