SALEM – Lake Norden-Badger received a strong pitching performance from Ryker Warrington, pulled away late, and defeated Salem-Montrose-Canova 7-1 in an elimination game during the State B American Legion Baseball Tournament on Sunday afternoon.

Warrington struck out 11 batters and allowed just two hits in going the distance for LN-B. He allowed just one run in the third that came without a hit thanks to a walk, two stolen bases and a ground out.

“Ryker has pitched a lot of big games for us over the past few years,” said Lake Norden-Badger coach Brad Noem, “so we felt really good about our chances today with him on the mound.”

Lake Norden-Badger was clinging to a 2-1 lead heading into the sixth inning when Cristhian Rodriguez provided an insurance run on a sacrifice fly, before the squad broke the game open in the seventh.

LN-B had five of its nine hits in the final frame when it scored four runs. Rylan Thue drove in a run with a double, Dawson Noem added an RBI single, and Lane Tvedt delivered a two-run single.

“The lineup grinded a lot of quality at-bats again today with each person contributing,” said Coach Noem.

George Jensen led the victory with three hits and also scored three runs. Tvedt finished with two hits and drove in a pair.

There are four teams remaining in the tournament. Lake Norden-Badger will take on unbeaten Elk Point-Jefferson at 6 tonight. EPJ handed LN-B its only setback of the tourney during the opening round last Friday.

Parkston will meet Dell Rapids in the other contest at 4 this afternoon. Both of those teams each have one loss.

Lake Norden-Badger 002 001 4 – 7 9 1

Salem-Montrose-Canova 001 000 0 – 1 2 1

Ryker Warrington and Cristhian Rodriguez; Owen Alley, Jackson Remmers (7) and Lane Deutsch. 2B – Lake Norden-Badger, Rylan Thue.