(Submitted photo) Babe Ruth Team Summer 2016 BACK ROW (left to right): Coach Kipp Johnson, Kelby Ginerich, Devan Michels, Mason McCabe, Kyler Gingerich, Isaiah Johnson, D.J. Schniebel, Jaylee Brandt, Coach Zach Leer FRONT ROW: Cy Luna, J.D. Matehs, Jordan Stone, Ethan Brandt, Tim Mueller, Cole Schneibel and Shayden Luna.

The Rugby Babe Ruth team wrapped up its summer season last week at the Turtle Mountain Babe Ruth Tournament, which was held in Cando. The number two seed heading into the tournament, Rugby had a bye in the first round and faced off against Rolette/Rolla in quarterfinal action. Rugby scored early and late to pick up a 9-6 victory. The game marked the return of Shayden Luna, who had been out due to injury since the second week of the season. Luna provided to be a spark from the lead off spot as he went 4/4 with four runs scored and drove in one. The victory moved Rugby into semi-final action of the double elimination tournament as they faced off against Cando.

Luna started the game on the mound and was magnificent through the first six innings. Rugby had a 5-1 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning but Cando woke up and scored four runs to send the game into extra innings. Little time was wasted as Rugby scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning and moved into the championship game with a 9-5 victory. Isaiah Johnson drove in three runs in the game and Jaylee Brandt had the go ahead RBI in the eighth.

Cando would bounce back with a 10-0 win versus Bottineau in five innings, pitting them against Rugby in the championship. With their backs against the wall, Cando came out and defeated Rugby twice to win the league. The first game saw Cando use a six run third inning on their way to a 9-6 victory. Both Brandt and Kyler Gingerich reached base four times in the game, but Rugby could not come up with enough offense. With the victory Cando forced a winner-take-all second game in the championship, handing Rugby its first lost in the Turtle Mountain Tournament.

Offense was at a premium in the second game for Rugby as they could only muster one run in a 6-1 victory for Cando. Rugby’s lone run came in the bottom of the second inning, Tim Mueller scored on an RBI groundout by Luna.

Rugby finished the season with an 8-6 record. Interestingly enough, four of the six losses came against Cando throughout the season. Despite coming up a little bit short in the tourney, it was a solid summer season for the Babe Ruth squad and Head Coach Kipp Johnson.