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Maple Grove takes down St. Michael-Albertville

By Blaze Fugina, SportsEngine, 05/21/22, 10:00AM CDT

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The Crimson only needed two one-run innings to top the Knights on Saturday.


Starting pitcher Zane Vitence gets the win as he pitched five scoreless innings Saturday afternoon as the Crimson shoutout the Knights 2-0. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Pitching depth is a precious commodity for high school baseball teams trying to complete successful seasons.

It typically takes a handful of pitchers to pitch in and work to keep opponents off the scoreboard on a normal week's schedule. But when you are playing five or more games in one week, finding arms to eat innings becomes even more crucial. A cold, wet spring of postponements meant both Maple Grove and visiting St. Michael-Albertville needed to dig deep into their pitching depth when they met on a brisk morning Saturday. The Crimson played their fifth game in the past seven days, while the Knights competed in their sixth.

But the Maple Grove pitchers still got it done. Starting pitcher Zane Vitense got the victory after throwing four and two-thirds innings of shutout baseball. Hunter Gerber and Chayton Fischer also tossed in relief to help finish off a 2-0 shutout win for the Crimson.


Crimson relief pitcher Hunter Gerber stranded the Knights with the bases loaded Saturday afternoon at home as Maple Grove went on to defeat St. Michael-Albertville 2-0. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

First Report

Maple Grove won a battle of pitching depth in a 2-0 win vs. visiting Interstate-94 neighbor St. Michael-Albertville Saturday afternoon.

Not only was each team battling a brisk day, but a jammed week’s schedule meant players beyond each team's usual rotations needed to step up.

Zane Vitense, who had not started a game all season, earned the win for the Crimson (15-3, 10-2). He pitched 4 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball while allowing three hits and striking out five. Vitense also went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. Maple Grove's first run was driven in by Aiden McMahon on a single up the middle in the fourth inning.

Braden Intrieri was given the loss for St. Michael-Albertville (14-5, 8-4) despite pitching four innings and allowing only one earned run. Hunter Palmer led the Knights' offense by going 2-for-3 with a double.


St. Michael-Albertville base runner Evan Saunders avoids being tagged at first base in the top of the fourth inning. The Knights lost to the Crimson 2-0 Saturday afternoon. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

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