Rugby reached the championship game of the Turtle Mountain League Tournament for a second year in a row, but unlike last season, there was no celebration when the final out came.

The less-than-full-strength squad gave a gallant effort, reaching the title game before succumbing to a good Cando club, 9-5. Rugby dressed just nine for the tournament.

Rugby entered the double elimination league tournament as the top seed, but Jim Cameron knew there was three or four teams with a legitimate shot at winning it, including Cando.

“We ended up a bit short, but the kids played well,’ said Cameron. “We had a good year, winning the regular season league crown and getting to this point.”

Rugby finished 7-3 during the regular season, defeating every league team at least once. At the tournament held in Bottineau, Rugby opened with a win over Rolette, 7-3. Pitcher Riley Olsen picked up the win.

The Rugby then fell to Cando, 7-3 before rebounding to top Rolette again, 4-3. Olsen picked up the victory again, and finished the season undefeated.

The team needed to defeat Cando twice to claim the tournament time, and after falling behind 7-0, scored five runs in the fourth inning to pull within two. However, that’s as close as Rugby would get, losing 9-5. Zach Berube took the loss on the mound.

Cando faced Midway-Minto in a best two-out-of-three series last week to determine the district winner, and advance to the Class B Babe Ruth state tournament in Mayville, beginning July 31.

Team members

Riley Olsen, Josh Michels, Andrew Hershey, Sheldon Thompson, Jaden Haman, Nigel Hageness, Chris Hamilton, Brady Olson, Zach Berube, Zach Leer, Jayden Welk, Tyler Mongeon, Jack McClintock; Coaches: Jim Cameron, Zane Axtman.