Spartans Comeback Comes Up Short In 5-4 Loss

SARTELL — The ROCORI Spartans began the week a day early with the game on Monday, April 15 being moved up a day from the previously scheduled date due to forecasted rain in the area.

The Spartans hit the road to take on their third straight Central Lakes Conference opponent to begin the season, battling the Sartell Sabres at St. Cloud Orthopedic Field in Sartell. Despite a late-game comeback attempt, ROCORI fell for the first time of the year by the score of 5-4.

Sartell jumped out to a lead early, taking a 4-1 advantage over ROCORI through four innings. Trailing 5-1 entering the sixth frame, the Spartans plated one run in the sixth and two more in the seventh, but couldn't quiet complete the comeback while coming up one run short.

Leading the way for ROCORI at the plate was Kaden Rausch, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and one RBI, and Jack Boos, who ended 1-for-4 with two RBI. Hunter Fuchs added one hit an done RBI, while Jacob Stalboerger and Tyler Prom each added one hit for the Spartans.

Fuchs started the game on the mount, pitching the first three innings while giving up five hits, two earned runs, one walk and striking out four. Noah Olmscheid threw two innings in relief and Rausch concluded the game with one shutout inning in relief for ROCORI.

With the loss, the Spartans fell to 2-1 overall and 2-1 in CLC action this season. ROCORI will have to games to round out the week, hosting Brainerd in the first home game of the season at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 before taking on Detroit Lakes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 19 in Detroit Lakes.